Experts of the UN Human Rights Council criticize the German police for using violence and banning demonstrations in favor of Palestine. Accusations against the German police are raised by independent experts, who examined, on behalf of the UN Human Rights Council, the behavior of the security authorities in solidarity demonstrations with the Palestinians: “We are worried in Germany the continued police violence and the repression of solidarity actions in favor of Palestine”, note the experts from the OHE headquarters in Geneva.

Experts call on the German government to respect “without discrimination” the human right to peaceful assembly. “Protests and expression of opinion should not be subject to excessive restrictions on content.”

Slogans inciting hatred and supporting terrorism

German police have previously banned demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinians after deviating from previous demonstrations, arguing that there could be incendiary and anti-Semitic slogans, as well as violent incidents.

The German judiciary partly upheld and partly overturned the bans, based on the experience of recent mobilizations. German media have reported demonstrations with anti-Semitic and inflammatory slogans. According to the Berlin police, slogans of incitement to hatred and support for terrorism have been recorded during such demonstrations.

Bans, arbitrary arrests

Independent experts are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to report on specific issues. Criticism of the German security authorities comes from, among others, experts on issues such as the right of assembly, modern forms of racism and the defense of human rights. The experts said they are in contact with German authorities.

Experts accuse German authorities and police of banning gatherings, making arbitrary arrests and criminalizing human rights activists. They also find that since October 2023, pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Germany have declined.

Source: dpa, tagesschau.de