UN rights chief condemns violence in European protests

GENEVA — UN rights chief Volker Turk on Tuesday condemned all acts of violence in protests in France and other European countries, according to Arab News. He urged those involved to reduce tensions.

"The mass protests across Albania, Belgium, France, Italy and Portugal are raising human rights concerns," Turk said in a statement. "I condemn all acts of violence and call on all of those involved to reduce tensions and prevent further violence. The best and only way forward is inclusive and safe dialogue."

Turk said people have the right to protest peacefully and to have their voices heard, and that countries must facilitate those rights. He deplored those who exploit protests to commit violence and vandalism against public and private property, and said they should be held individually accountable.

Turk also voiced concern at reports of unnecessary and excessive use of force against protesters, including children. He said any law enforcement response must remain lawful, necessary and proportionate, and that allegations of unlawful force must be investigated promptly, effectively and independently.

Turk encouraged governments to engage protesters, particularly young people, in dialogue. He called for concrete steps on education, public services, housing, the cost of living and inequality.

According to Arab News, France was hit on Saturday by some of its worst rioting in recent years. Images showed clashes, looting and buildings set on fire. Several countries, including the United States, China and Germany, issued travel advisories for their citizens in France. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu accused ultra-left radical groups of forging an "insurrectionary plan" behind the riots, which broke out during nationwide protests over the cost of living. Lecornu pledged a "massive" police deployment next weekend, and organisers called for a new round of protests on Saturday.

The source does not give a death toll for the French unrest. In Albania, around 300 people were injured in the latest clashes, more than half of them police, according to the authorities. The source does not give a date for that figure.

Background

Arab News reported that protests have continued in Albania for months, with demonstrators repeatedly clashing with police. In Milan, hundreds of protesters were detained during two days of clashes over the weekend, and dozens of police officers were injured. Belgian police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse demonstrators in Brussels and Liege at cost-of-living protests on Saturday.