UN Human Rights Experts Criticize German Police Over Pro-Palestinian Protests

Independent experts from the UN Human Rights Council have strongly criticized German authorities for alleged police violence and restrictions imposed on pro-Palestinian demonstrations across Germany. The experts, including the Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, Gina Romero from Colombia, expressed alarm over reported police brutality and the suppression of solidarity actions in support of Palestine. They condemned bans on demonstrations, arbitrary arrests, and the criminalization of human rights defenders, urging Germany to uphold its human rights obligations and protect the right to peaceful assembly.

The UN experts also raised serious concerns about the "misuse of immigration law," alleging it is used to deny citizenship or deport activists involved in these protests. Such actions, they argue, contradict international standards and create a chilling effect on democratic freedoms. These issues arose amid an ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, which began two years ago, during which numerous pro-Palestinian protests have taken place in German cities.

German police justified some bans on protests by citing risks of hate speech and violence. Courts have issued mixed rulings, sometimes upholding and sometimes overturning these bans. Reports have surfaced of violent incidents involving security personnel and accusations of hate speech during such demonstrations. The UN Human Rights Council experts have formally contacted the German government to address these concerns and call for better respect for peaceful protest rights.

This international criticism highlights the tension in balancing security concerns with fundamental rights in Germany's response to political demonstrations linked to the Middle East conflict.