UN reporter on torture investigating reports of police atrocities against German anti-blocking protesters

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UN officials say he is investigating reports of police atrocities against German anti-blocking protesters.

A violent clash between law enforcement officers and protesters during the protests on August 1 was captured on video and widely disseminated online.

For example, one video Indicated Officers stab people into the ground and hit at least one protester.

Another seemed to indicate that the policeman had hit the child.

People were protesting the harsh measures of the German government imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nils Melzer, a special rapporteur on UN torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments or punishments, said the clash caught his attention for the first time this week.

Melzer said later Berliner Zeitung His team received many reports from protesters.

“Next, we will screen and evaluate the material. All messages and videos need to be carefully examined and I speak directly to witnesses. But my impression is that in some cases the federal government. There is good reason for my official intervention in the government, “he said.

Melzer said violence against protesters was unacceptable and attacks against police officers were unacceptable.

“Isolated violence by demonstrators should never help justify police violence against other nonviolent demonstrators,” he said.

After the clash, Berlin police officials defended the actions of police officers.

Officials said protesters were attacked and forced to use crowd control measures, including the deployment of chemical stimulants.

The German government later blamed the violence and appeared to blame the protesters.

“Violent clashes and abuse of the right to protest are unacceptable,” said Ulrike Demar, a government spokesman, according to the Associated Press.

German media reported that about 600 people were arrested.

One 48-year-old died of a heart attack after his arrest, officials said.

The cause of death is under investigation. Police said there were no signs that violence caused death.

Zachary Stieber

Zachary Stieber covers US news, including politics and proceedings. He started in The Epoch Times as a metro reporter for New York City.



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