Use of force by garda against pro-Palestine protesters at Port Tunnel 'disproportionate'

Kenneth Fox

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) condemns the wholly disproportionate use of force by An Garda Síochána at a Dublin protest opposing genocide in Palestine on Saturday, October 4th. 

A group of protesters marched to block a road to Dublin Port on Saturday.

The ICCL said it is "Gravely concerned about the heavy-handed policing approach to the protest, including the indiscriminate use of pepper spray without verbal warning and batons. Any use of force by gardaí must be proportionate and necessary. According to garda policies, pepper spray should only be used when faced with violence or the threat of violence.

"A number of injuries, including a broken wrist, have been reported by protesters. We are also concerned about the treatment of individuals when they were arrested, including reports that one protester was subject to mistreatment.

"Human rights law provides broad protection to the right to peaceful protest, including collective civil disobedience and direct-action campaigns."

They said the UN Human Rights Committee has specifically noted that “mere pushing and shoving or disruption of vehicular or pedestrian movement or daily activities do not amount to violence”.

ICCL and the University of Galway have created a network of trained, independent legal observers. On Saturday, legal observers monitored and documented the policing response to the protest in Dublin Port.

In the course of their work, they were also affected by the pepper spray. Legal observers are independent observers and recognised internationally as human rights defenders. Gardaí are obligated to ensure they can carry out their work.

As co-conveners of the Irish Network of Legal Observers, ICCL and the University of Galway are compiling reports and footage from the protest. In the coming days, we will share our findings and concerns with the Garda Commissioner and publish a report on this incident.