excessive force
Thursday 18.3.2021 Bolivia - Latest Developments -
Human rights organisations concerned about partial justice system in Bolivia
On 18th February 2021, Bolivia legislature approved Supreme Decree 4461, proposed by the current government, which conceded amnesty and pardon to persons deprived of liberty in the context of the political crisis. Read more | Read in Spanish
Wednesday 10.3.2021 Senegal - Latest Developments -
Protests and clashes after arrest opposition leader: several killed, arrested, TV stations suspended
Tension has been on the rise in Senegal since the leader of political opposition party PASTEF (Patriotes du Sénégal pour le travail, l’éthique et la fraternité) and member of parliament Ousmane Sonko was accused of sexual assault and death threats. Sonko denies the accusations and accuses authorities of a 'political complot'. Protests and clashes erupted and security forces, killing eight people, journalists have been subjected to threats and political supporters and activists have been arrested.
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| Read in French
Tuesday 9.3.2021 Myanmar - Latest Developments -
Deadly violence against protesters by security forces as crackdown escalates in Myanmar
Over the last month, protesters demanding an end to the military's rule were met with live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon by security forces as they attempted to disperse protests. Laws have been amended by the military to restrict civic space and there have been ongoing arrests of political leaders, government officials, civil servants, activists, student leaders and doctors, as well as anti-coup protesters. Read more
Thursday 4.3.2021 France - Latest Developments -
Worsening crackdown on civic space by Macron’s government to preserve ‘republican values’
French authorities have cracked down on civil society organisations (CSOs) accused of opposing the ‘Republican order’ and being ‘radical Islamists’. CSOs have also been under attack from extreme right and mainstream political forces, who have expressed stigmatising views towards Muslims and Muslim organisations. Following this, the French government led several initiatives which threatened civic space and the rule of law in France, which includes the draft Anti-Separatism law and the draft bill on Global Security. Objectors to the draft law on Global Security have maintained ongoing protests . The most controversial protest occurred in Paris, where organisers noted that police officers blocked access to the protest, refused to reveal their identification numbers and assaulted participants. There have been over 13,000 arrests in relation to these protests thus far.
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| Read in French
Wednesday 3.3.2021 Netherlands - Latest Developments -
Journalists come under attack during violent protests over COVID-19 curfew
In response to the reinstated curfew to curb the spread of COVID-19, the Netherlands saw a new wave of protests against the government's handling of the health crisis. Protests have taken place throughout the country, with some of these turning violent. Protests in Eindhoven and Amsterdam were forcefully broken up by riot-police with water cannon and tear gas. Police say around 300 people were detained for rioting so far and 5,700 were fined for breaking the COVID-19 curfew. In a concerning development, journalists covering protests faced physical attacks. Read more
Monday 1.3.2021 Chad - Latest Developments -
Increasing civic space restrictions months ahead of presidential poll
On 4th February 2021, authorities issued a ban on protests across the country, citing fears of public disorder. The ban followed a call by a coalition of opposition parties, human rights organisations and civil society organisations to mobilise on 6th February 2021 to protest against president Idriss Déby running for a sixth term in the upcoming April 2021 elections. On 6th February 2021, more than 100 people were arrested throughout the country. Read more | Read in French
Thursday 25.2.2021 Turkey - Latest Developments -
Student protests calling for academic freedom met with excessive force, LGBTI students targeted
The Turkish parliament approved a controversial bill which is designed to combat financing of terrorism. However, the new measures will severely restrict civic space and stifle the activities of civil society organisations (CSOs). On 4th January 2021, thousands of students from Boğaziçi University protested against the appointment of a new trustee rector. The demonstrators argued that the new trustee presented a means for Erdogan to curtail academic freedom due to their previous relations and called for student elections to decide the rector. Protests have been met with excessive force and thus far over 500 students have been detained. In addition, LGBTI students have been targeted by the authorities. Turkey’s Information and Communications Technologies Authority imposed fines on online media giants for not complying with a new digital law. In response to contentions between social media giants and the Turkish authorities, YouTube, Facebook and other platforms appointed a local representative in Turkey- raising concerns for state censorship. Read more
Wednesday 24.2.2021 India - Latest Developments -
Indian authorities target activists, journalists as they suppress support for the farmers’ protests
Since early January 2021, the authorities have continued to suppress and demonise the farmers protest movement using excessive force with over a hundred detained and charged as well as blocking roads and protests spaces. Activists supporting them have been criminalised using draconian laws as well as journalists reporting and commenting on the protests. The government has also attempted to silence criticism online. Read more
Tuesday 23.2.2021 Albania - Latest Developments -
Police brutality and killing in response to COVID-19 curfew breach sparks protests
During this reporting period, there were days of protests staged by hundreds of Albanians in response to the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Klodian Rasha by a police officer for breaching a coronavirus-related curfew on 8th December 2020. The protesters gathered at various locations, but police condemned the actions, which flouted government COVID-19 guidelines on public gatherings and they used tear gas to disperse the protests. It was reported that nine police officers, a protester and a journalist were injured. According to a preliminary report by the ombudsman, 124 people have been detained, of whom 57 were minors, some under the age of 14. In addition journalists covering protests also faced assaults and detention.
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Monday 22.2.2021 Honduras - Latest Developments -
Justice for Keyla: nursing student’s suspected homicide sparks outrage in Honduras
In early February 2021, police forces in Honduras repressed protests for justice in the case of Keyla Martínez, a nursing student who died under police custody in La Esperanza, Intibucá. Read more
