Amnesty criticises pre-Christmas demo ban in Swiss capital

A pro-Palestinian demonstration in Bern on October 14, 2023. Keystone / Marcel Bieri

Amnesty International has sharply criticised a de facto ban on protests in the Swiss city of Bern until Christmas.

According to the human rights organisation, a ban on large demonstrations in the city centre by the local city authorities, which has been in force since Friday, violates international law standards.

The Swiss section of Amnesty International issued a statement on Friday expressing its concerns about the recklessness with which the Bernese authorities are restricting people’s freedom to demonstrate. The authorities have various instruments at their disposal to respond to real threats, it says.

“Obstructing peaceful demonstrations – also in connection with the conflict in the Middle East – on the grounds that the agenda for maintaining security is full is a violation of human rights,” Alicia Giraudel, a lawyer at Amnesty International Switzerland, declared.

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Banning large political demonstrations for several weeks is a serious infringement of the right to demonstrate. Any restriction that deviates from human rights obligations must be justified. It must have a legal basis, be necessary and proportionate and pursue a legitimate aim, says Amnesty.

Reasons such as obstructing traffic and disrupting the daily lives of citizens do not fulfil the criteria set out in international law standards for justifying restrictions on freedom of assembly, the group continued.

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On November 8, the Bern city government announced that it no longer wanted any large demonstrations or parades in the city centre from November 17 to 24 December 24. Smaller demonstrations could still be authorised in the city centre. Other locations in the city centre are also possible for demonstrations.

Bern’s security director, Reto Nause, defended the decision by saying the city had recently approved three pro-Palestinian rallies, which had been accompanied by a large police contingent.

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