Overview

• Michael O’Flaherty condemned reports of excessive police violence against pro-Palestinian demonstrators, including minors, and demanded investigations and sanctions for officers responsible.
• The human rights commissioner highlighted restrictions imposed since February on the use of Arabic language and Palestinian cultural symbols at protests in Berlin.
• He warned that broad characterizations of criticism of Israel as antisemitic threaten legitimate political expression.
• Berlin authorities have limited Gaza solidarity rallies to stationary gatherings, banned non-German languages at demonstrations and made dozens of arrests following clashes.
• O’Flaherty urged Germany to end measures that discriminate against protesters based on political opinion, religion, nationality or migration status to protect freedoms.