European human rights group critical of police conduct in Brussels protests

The European Association for the defence of human rights (AEDH), has spoken out against the “unbearable excesses” exhibited by police in a protest at Place de la Bourse in Brussels on Saturday 2nd April.

The group expressed its solidarity and support for the president of the Belgian League of Human Rights (LDH), Alexis Deswaef, who was arrested by the police during the protest.

“AEDH protests against the unbearable excesses of the police, who did not hesitate to conduct arrests without reasonable grounds and in the absence of any wrongful act,” the statement by the group reads.

“It seems to be a preventive and ostensive measure that is politically oriented against those who defend human rights and freedom of expression,” they added.

Two suspected far-right activists were arrested in Molenbeek due to possession of Molotov cocktails and weapons as police shut down protests across Brussels on Saturday.

Supporters of the anti-immigration movement Génération Identitaire, had gathered in the district known as the home of Isis militants including Salah Abdeslam, who was found hiding in the district after four months on the run following the Paris attacks that left some 130 people dead.

Protesters called a rally in its main square on Saturday, but it was swiftly banned by the mayor of Molenbeek, Francoise Schepmans, because of the threat of “public order disturbances”. The series of arrests was reported minutes after the protest was due to start.

At least one other man besides the two far-right activists was seen being handcuffed and taken away by police, who were out in force to enact a city-wide ban on the Génération Identitaire demonstration and any counter-protests. An anti-fascist rally in Place de la Bourse was among those dispersed with at least 10 people arrested, according to Belgian media, with LDH’s Deswaef among those arrested.

The Ligue des Droits de l'Homme (Human Rights League) had organised the event to condemn Islamophobia, which it said had become a “respectable form of racism”.

The AEDH further pointed out the difference of treatment by police authorities’ reaction to groups performing the Nazi salute on Place de la Bourse, during a memorial gathering on the 28th March, for the 32 victims of the Brussels airport and metro attack on the 22nd March.

“The objective of the salute,” the group adds, “is to sabotage the spirit of liberty, solidarity and tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks.”

AEDH further urged the Home Affairs Minister and the Mayor of Brussels to fully investigate police actions.

“The principles of democracy and freedom of expression should be reflected by an exemplary behavior of law enforcement authorities.” 

“In such a tragic context, protecting democratic, civil and social rights for everyone is the only way to ensure that racist exactions do not constitute an outlet for terrorist crimes,” they added.