Introduction
In 2024, Germany intensified restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and association, placing significant pressure on civil society. The police have frequently resorted to violence during protests related to climate change and pro-Palestinian demonstrations. This issue has been highlighted in the European Commission’s annual report on the rule of law. The present report examines the restrictions imposed on civil liberties in Germany and their impact on the fundamental rights of its citizens.
Incidents
Following the events of October 7, numerous pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Germany were preemptively banned. Amnesty International criticized these preventive bans, denouncing them as a violation of the right to peaceful assembly. Additionally, reports have surfaced regarding excessive police force and increasing instances of racial discrimination.
Restrictions on pro-Palestinian demonstrations are not new. For instance, since 2021, authorities in Berlin have consistently banned all gatherings on Nakba Day (May 15), a significant date for many Palestinians commemorating their displacement in 1948. While a blanket ban was not imposed in 2024, multiple reports of police violence during protests emerged.
A recent example occurred in April 2024, when police violently dismantled a protest encampment near the parliament building. Human rights organizations condemned the use of excessive force, including acts prohibited under international human rights law. Evidence from recorded footage shows officers engaging in violent conduct: one officer was seen pushing a woman to the ground from behind without warning, another repeatedly punched a young man pinned to the ground, while a third officer was recorded choking a kneeling protester and ordering them to “stop demonstrating.”
Police violence against leftist and non-governmental protests is not a new phenomenon. However, the increasing indifference toward such actions, particularly in Berlin, marks a concerning shift. While pro-Palestinian demonstrations are loud and visible, there remains a striking silence regarding police brutality against these protests.
The growing restrictions on civil liberties in Germany, particularly in the context of pro-Palestinian activism, are alarming. These measures not only infringe upon fundamental rights but also contribute to the erosion of democratic and civic space in the country.
