Large demonstration against police violence: "Certain protests are particularly unwelcome"

Criminalization of protesters undermines the human right to freedom of assembly

Vienna (OTS) – In the run-up to today’s major demonstration against police violence in Vienna, Amnesty International once again expresses its extreme concern about the criminalization of protest movements and activists. Both the repeatedly aggressive actions of the police against protesters and some statements by politicians – including those of the Federal Chancellor in his speech on the situation in Austria or the ÖVP security spokesman – put climate activists in a negative light or even pull them in Ridiculous. The aim is probably to want to establish a narrative in public that this protest is disruptive or not legal at all in a state. Besides elections, protests are the most important means of collectively expressing an opinion in a democracy.

“We have the impression that certain protests are particularly reluctant to be seen in this country,” says Teresa Exenberger, a lawyer at Amnesty International Austria. Amnesty International cannot understand the fact that last week a criminally relevant accusation was made against the demonstrators under Section 274 StGB: “We are extremely critical of the use of this criminal offense in connection with assemblies, as there is a risk that participants in a demonstration be criminalized across the board.”

Amnesty International makes it clear: Freedom of assembly is a human right and must be protected and enabled by the state: “The police have a fundamental obligation to enable protests, not to prevent them. We had the opposite impression of what happened last week,” said Exenberger.

Use of pepper spray “not justified”

With regard to the use of pepper spray – which Amnesty found to be unlawful – any use of force by the police may only happen under certain clear regulations and must be proportionate. For example, pepper spray or batons may only be used to ward off specific attacks or for self-defense. These human rights requirements are generally known – also and especially among the police.

Effective investigation

Exenberger emphasizes that the allegations in the room must be effectively investigated. “All the more disconcerting are the words of praise given by the Minister of the Interior to the actions of the police immediately after the operation.”