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Date: April 29, 2024 Mon
Time: 10:32 pm
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Results for protests and demonstrations
5 results foundAuthor: American Civil Liberties Union Title: Summary: In June 2010, hundreds of thousands of Canadians took to the streets of Toronto to peacefully protest the G20 Summit, which was taking place behind a fortified fence that walled off much of the city's downtown core. On the Saturday evening during the Summit weekend, a senior Toronto Police Commander sent out an order - "take back the streets." Within a span of 36 hours, over 1000 people - peaceful protesters, journalists, human rights monitors and downtown residents - were arrested and placed in detention. The title of this publication is taken from that initial police order. It is emblematic of a very concerning pattern of government conduct: the tendency to transform individuals exercising a fundamental democratic right - the right to protest - into a perceived threat that requires a forceful government response. The case studies detailed in this report, each written by a different domestic civil liberties and human rights organization, provide contemporary examples of different governments' reactions to peaceful protests. They document instances of unnecessary legal restrictions, discriminatory responses, criminalization of leaders, and unjustifiable - at times deadly - force. The nine organizations that have contributed to this publication work to defend basic democratic rights and freedoms in nine countries spread over four continents. Across the regions where our organizations operate, States are engaged in concerted efforts to roll back advances in the protection and promotion of human rights - and often, regressive measures impacting the right to protest follows in lockstep. And across the globe, social movements are pushing for change and resisting the advancement of authoritarian policies; dozens, hundreds, thousands or hundreds of thousands of individuals are marching in the roads and occupying the public space. In rural areas across the global south, there are a variety of demands, calling for access to land or resisting the exploitation of natural resources that threaten indigenous peoples' or peasants' territories. In urban settings, housing shortages or lack of basic services spark social protests and upheavals. Even in developed economies, there are disturbing tensions provoked by the contraction of the economy, globalization policies and the social and political exclusion of migrants. Students' movements all over the globe are demanding the right to education. History tells us that many of the fundamental rights we enjoy today were obtained after generations before us engaged in sustained protests in the streets: the prohibition against child labor, steps toward racial equality, women's suffrage - to name just a few - were each accomplished with the help of public expression of these demands. If freedom of expression is the grievance system of democracies, the right to protest and peaceful assembly is democracy's megaphone. It is the tool of the poor and the marginalized - those who do not have ready access to the levers of power and influence, those who need to take to the streets to make their voices heard. Unfortunately, these are also rights that are frequently violated. Our organizations have witnessed numerous instances of direct state repression during protests: mass arrests, unlawful detentions, illegal use of force and the deployment of toxic chemicals against protesters and bystanders alike. At other times the state action is less visible: the increased criminalization of protest movements, the denial of march permits, imposition of administrative hurdles and the persecution and prosecution of social leaders and protesters. Details: New York: ACLU, 2013. 35p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 13, 2016 at: https://www.aclu.org/files/assets/global_protest_suppression_report_inclo.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: https://www.aclu.org/files/assets/global_protest_suppression_report_inclo.pdf Shelf Number: 139432 Keywords: Civil RightsProtests and DemonstrationsPublic Disorder |
Author: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General Title: A Review of the FBI's Investigations of Certain Domestic Advocacy Groups Summary: The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) initiated this review in response to congressional inquiries that raised concerns over whether the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had improperly targeted domestic advocacy groups for investigation based solely upon their exercise of First Amendment rights. The congressional inquiries were prompted by media reports describing FBI documents released by the FBI pursuant to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. For example, in a letter to the OIG, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren stated that the circumstances described in the news reports "suggest that the FBI is investigating these advocacy groups based solely on their engagement in peaceful, lawful speech and assembly activities protected under the [First] Amendment." In a congressional hearing, Senator Patrick Leahy questioned FBI Director Mueller about allegations that the FBI had "targeted Americans based on their exercise of First Amendment rights," and Director Mueller stated that he would welcome such an investigation by the 01G.3 II. Scope and Methodology We reviewed FBI investigative activity relating to five groups and one individual because they were among those mentioned in the news articles and congressional inquiries related to the release of FBI documents. Our review addressed FBI activities over a 6-year period, from January 2001 to December 2006, related to the following entities: The Thomas Merton Center of Pittsburgh, PA; People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA); Greenpeace USA; The Catholic Worker; Glen Milner, (an individual); and, The Religious Society of Friends (the "Quakers"). In the case of PETA, our review focused on the investigative activities of the FBI's office in Norfolk, Virginia (Norfolk Field Division). PETA's corporate headquarters are located in Norfolk, Virginia, and during the time period covered by our review, the FBI's Norfolk Field Division conducted the investigation of PETA and several related investigations of PETA members. Our review focused on FBI investigative activities and documents that related to the exercise of First Amendment rights, most commonly protest activities. In general, we addressed the following issues raised by the FBI documents relating to these groups: Whether the FBI targeted the groups or their members because of their First Amendment expressions rather than for a valid law enforcement purpose; Whether investigations of the groups or individuals affiliated with them were adequately predicated under applicable Department of Justice (Dai) or FBI policies; Whether the FBI improperly collected or retained information about the First Amendment activities of the groups or their members; Whether FBI documents contain improper characterizations of the groups or their members based on their First Amendment views; and, Whether the FBI improperly classified investigative matters relating to these groups or individuals as terrorism matters. In this review, we examined over 8,000 pages of FBI documents referencing these groups. From this broad review we identified particular FBI investigations and other activities that potentially implicated the First Amendment activities of the groups or their members. In several of these matters, we examined additional FBI documents, including the complete investigative files of cases. We conducted over 40 interviews of FBI field office and Headquarters personnel, including interviews of current and former FBI Special Agents to obtain more detailed information on predication where it was not apparent from our document review. In addition, we interviewed attorneys in the FBI's Office of General Counsel to obtain information on FBI policies relating to FBI investigative activities and the First Amendment, as well as policies governing the FBI's Domestic Terrorism program. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, 2010. 209p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 21, 2017 at: https://oig.justice.gov/special/s1009r.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: https://oig.justice.gov/special/s1009r.pdf Shelf Number: 147424 Keywords: Domestic Terrorism First Amendment Rights Homeland Security Protests and Demonstrations |
Author: Human Rights Watch Title: "Special Mission": Recruitment of M23 Rebels to Suppress Protests in the Democratic Republic of Congo Languages Summary: Security forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo killed at least 62 people and arrested hundreds of others during protests across the country between December 19 and 22, 2016, after President Joseph Kabila refused to step down at the end of his constitutionally mandated two-term limit. In the lead-up to the December protests, and as pressure on Kabila escalated, senior Congolese security force officers had mobilized at least 200 and likely many more former M23 rebel fighters from neighboring Uganda and Rwanda to protect Kabila and help quash the anti-Kabila protests. M23 fighters were integrated into Congolese army, police, and Republican Guard units and given explicit orders to use lethal force, including at "point-blank range" if necessary. With more protests planned in the coming weeks - nearly one year past the end of Kabila's constitutional mandate - the findings in this report raise concerns about further violence and repression. "Special Mission": Recruitment of M23 Rebels to Suppress Protests in the Democratic Republic of Congo is based on over 120 interviews, including with victims and witnesses of abuses, 9 Congolese security force officers, and 21 M23 combatants, commanders, and political leaders. Research was conducted in Kinshasa, Goma, and Lubumbashi in Congo, and in Rwanda and Uganda from December 2016 to November 2017. Human Rights Watch calls on President Kabila and other senior officials to end all unlawful and excessive use of force and other forms of repression against protesters, activists, and the political opposition, and to cease all recruitment of M23 fighters to participate in such repression. Congo's international partners should increase the pressure on Kabila to step down as required by the constitution and support a peaceful transition and credible elections. Details: New York: HRW, 2017. 81p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 17, 2018 at: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/drc1217_web2_0.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/drc1217_web2_0.pdf Shelf Number: 148848 Keywords: Deadly ForceHuman Rights AbusesProtests and DemonstrationsSecurity Forces |
Author: Gilmore, Joanna Title: Keep Moving! Report on the Policing of the Barton Moss Community Protection Camp, November 2013-April 2014. Summary: This report contains interim indings from research into the policing of the Barton Moss Community Protection Camp at Barton Moss, Salford, Greater Manchester, conducted by researchers from Liverpool John Moores University and the University of York. he camp was in place from November 2013 until April 2014 for the duration of the exploratory drilling operation conducted by energy company IGas Energy at Barton Moss. Camp residents and supporters engaged in a campaign of protest and direct action to raise awareness about the apparent dangers of hydraulic fracturing - better known as fracking - at Barton Moss. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) conducted a policing operation - codenamed Operation Geraldton - at Barton Moss over the course of the drilling operation conducted by IGas. he report draws upon interviews conducted by the authors with camp residents and those taking part in direct action. It also collates, and draws upon, social media and other media reporting on the Barton Moss camp, as well as other publicly available information such as public statements, press releases, and responses to requests for information made by the authors under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to relevant public bodies, including Greater Manchester Police. he report documents concerns about the nature, function and proportionality of the policing operation at the camp and the way that policing methods were deployed in accordance with the obligations to facilitate peaceful protest underpinned by the European Convention on Human Rights. his report raises serious questions about the proportionality of arrest patterns and bail conditions, as well as the dominant media and public portrayal of the protest and the protesters, including the role played by GMP in inluencing this portrayal. he report documents protesters' experiences of violence and harassment by the police including gendered violence experienced by women involved at the camp. Particular attention is drawn to the role of Tactical Aid Unit oicers in the policing of protest marches, and the role of senior oicers in the communication and public information strategies conducted as part of Operation Geraldton. Ultimately, the report highlights the various procedures adopted by GMP in the management of the protest that had the efect of curtailing the right to protest, and seeks to substantiate unacknowledged claims that the policing operation was violent, disproportionate to the size and peaceful nature of the protest, and carried out with impunity. his research raises important questions about the nature of democratic accountability and public order policing in England and Wales. Details: Liverpool, UK: Centre for the Study of Crime, Criminalisation and Social Exclusion, Liverpool John Moores University' York: Centre for Urban Research (CURB), University of York, 2016. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 17, 2018 at: http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/115146/1/Barton_Moss_Report.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/115146/1/Barton_Moss_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 149839 Keywords: Crowd ControlDemonstrationsPolice MisconductProtests and DemonstrationsPublic Order Management |
Author: Amnesty International Title: Hunger for Justice: Crimes Against Humanity in Venezuela Summary: Venezuela has been experiencing a profound human rights crisis for several years. Massive violations of civil, political, economic and social rights have been reflected in shortages of and lack of access to food and medicines, a deterioration in health services, as well as violence and political repression by the state. As a result at least 3.4 million people have been forced to flee the country since 2015. In this context, social protest became the main and most visible way in which people could respond and channel their discontent. Since 2014, there have been several cycles of mass demonstrations, interspersed with spontaneous protests to demand a range of rights. In February 2014, the first mass protests took place both against and in support of the government of Nicolas Maduro, who had come to power a year earlier. During the first months of demonstrations, Amnesty International documented the excessive use of force, torture and politically motivated arbitrary detentions and highlighted the use of derogatory language to stigmatize anti-government protesters. By the end of these protests, 43 people had been killed, including 10 public officials. A year later, the organization expressed concern at the high level of impunity in relation to possible human rights violations committed during those months. Between April and July 2017, there was a new wave of social conflict in which more than 120 people were killed, mostly at the hands of the state and groups of armed pro-government civilians ("collectives"). At least 1,958 people were injured as a result of the systematic and widespread use of excessive, and often intentionally lethal, force against protesters. In addition, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), more than 5,000 people were reported to have been detained. One year after the protests, to Amnesty International's knowledge, in only one case had judicial proceedings in relation to these deaths been opened against a member of the Bolivarian National Guard (Guardia Nacional Bolivariana, GNB). While 2018 was not characterized by mass protests, it nevertheless saw the largest number of spontaneous protests throughout the country (more than 12,000 during the year) around demands for economic and social rights, due to the serious deterioration in living standards. It was in this context that, at the beginning of 2019, thousands of people took to the streets to demand a change of government. During January, numerous demonstrations were reported, many of them in low-income areas where the demand for political change had not been so pronounced up to that point. From 21 to 25 January 2019, in a total of 12 of the country's 23 states, at least 47 people died in the context of the protests, all of them as a result of gunshot wounds. Reports indicated that, of these 47 people, at least 39 were killed by members of state forces or of third parties acting with their acquiescence during demonstrations (33 and six respectively). Eleven were reportedly victims of targeted extrajudicial executions, 24 reportedly died in the context of demonstrations and 11 reportedly during looting. According to press reports, one member of the security forces also died during these protests. During these five days, more than 900 people were arbitrarily detained in practically every state in the country. It is estimated that 770 of these arbitrary detentions took place in just one day, 23 January, the date on which demonstrations were held throughout the country. Children and teenagers were among those detained. Amnesty International has documented the policy of politically motivated repression implemented by the government of Nicolas Maduro since 2014. As part of this, between 31 January and 17 February 2019, an Amnesty International team visited Venezuela to carry out research into crimes under international law and serious human rights violations committed in the context of the protests. During this visit, a total of six extrajudicial executions were documented, three cases of excessive use of force and six arbitrary detentions, as well as cover-ups and a failure to investigate several of these violations. The 15 cases detailed in this report are representative of a broader pattern of possible human rights violations that took place in January 2019. The extrajudicial executions documented in different parts of the country illustrate a recurring pattern. In all cases, the victims were young men who were critical of the government, or perceived as such by the authorities, from low-income areas and whose participation in the protests had been visible or whose criticisms had gone viral on social media. That is, they were targeted executions based on the profile of the victims. All died as a result of gunshot wounds to the chest and were executed while in the custody of the authorities. Some were tortured before they were killed. After executing them, the authorities publicly depicted them as criminals who had died in confrontations and initiated criminal investigations for "resisting authority" ("resistencia a la autoridad"). In all six cases, the crime scene was tampered with in order to cover up the facts, as were the bodies of the victims. The police force that carried out these executions was the Bolivarian National Police (Policia Nacional Bolivariana, PNB), mainly through its Special Actions Force (Fuerzas de Acciones Especiales, FAES). Regarding the use of force, Amnesty International's research confirmed the disproportionate and unnecessary use of lethal force against demonstrators. In the documented cases, the GNB and the Bolivarian National Guard of Venezuela (Guardia Nacional Bolivariana, GNB) were identified as the bodies responsible for the deaths. For example, Alixon Pisani was killed by a gunshot wound to the chest sustained when a PNB official riding on the back of a motorcycle fired indiscriminately on a protest in Catia (Caracas). According to witnesses, the demonstrators had blocked the street with burning objects and were not armed. Only in a few cases had Molotov cocktails and stones been thrown at the security forces. The cases of detention illustrate a pattern of arbitrary mass arrests followed by ill-treatment of detainees by government forces in order to punish people for taking part in the protests. Researchers also found that judicial guarantees were flouted and that there was interference with principle of judicial independence. For example, in the cases of four teenagers (all under 18) detained in the state of Yaracuy, none was brought before a judge within the legal time limit and they were held for several days despite the absence of sufficient evidence to justify their detention. Days later, the supervising judge (juez de control) dealing with their case complained on social media that her decision regarding the minors had been the result of pressure and the death threats from the Executive branch. Finally, according to the information received from relatives and lawyers, in all the documented cases of violation of the right to life and physical integrity, the official investigations have been neither impartial or thorough and the families have received only minimal information about them. In addition, several relatives were harassed by public officials because of the victims' involvement in the protests. Analysis of these violations shows that in January 2019, multiple acts of violence were committed consistently in all states and with a high degree of coordination between the security forces at the national and state levels. The authorities right up to the highest level, including Nicolas Maduro, have at the very least tolerated such attacks. Amnesty International's research shows that these human rights violations were not random, but were part of a previously planned attack directed against a distinct part of the civilian population: government opponents, or those perceived as such by the government, who were at times specifically identified as targets by the attackers. In addition, these incidents were public and widely known; in other words, the authorities at the highest level knew what was happening. Details: London: Author, 2019. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 6, 2019 at: https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/AMR5302222019ENGLISH.PDF Year: 2019 Country: Venezuela URL: https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/AMR5302222019ENGLISH.PDF Shelf Number: 156236 Keywords: Arbitrary DetentionsExecutionsExtrajudicial ExecutionsHuman Rights AbusesProtests and DemonstrationsTortureUse of Force |