The League for Children's Rights has expressed deep concern over the arrest of minors during recent demonstrations against education reforms in the French Community, warning that the police response sends a troubling message to young people.
In a statement released on Monday, the organisation said it was "deeply outraged" by reports that children and teenagers were detained during protests held last week.
According to the group, the mobilisation of young people falls within the legitimate exercise of rights protected under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The organisation stressed that children and young people have the right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, particularly when protesting policies that directly affect their education.
"The participation of pupils in debates concerning their educational future cannot be reduced to a public order issue," the association said.
The League argued that arresting minors who were taking part in a civic debate risks undermining trust in democratic institutions and discouraging future civic engagement.
"A response that is essentially security-focused may have a deterrent effect on the future exercise of their rights," it added.
The criticism follows clashes during demonstrations against planned education reforms.
According to previous reports, 14 people, including eight minors, were judicially arrested in Brussels on Thursday. Protest participants and observers alleged that police used water cannons, tear gas, batons and kettling tactics against demonstrators.
Police have defended their actions, arguing that some protesters were involved in vandalism and attacks targeting officers and public property.
A further 100 arrests were reported in Brussels on Friday, while disturbances also occurred in Namur.
The League for Children's Rights is calling for full transparency regarding the circumstances and reasons behind the arrests carried out on 4 June. It has also requested an independent assessment of whether the measures used by police were proportionate.
The organisation further suggested involving civil society groups and the General Delegate for Children's Rights in the review of events.
Separately, a coalition of 72 organisations, including the Francophone Students Federation (FEF), trade unions, family organisations and child rights advocates, published an open letter condemning the treatment of young protesters.
The coalition accused authorities of sending contradictory messages to young people.
"We reject the double discourse that encourages young people to develop critical thinking when they support certain decisions, but questions their legitimacy when they express disagreement," the letter states.
The signatories are calling for independent investigations into reported incidents, transparent communication from authorities regarding operations involving minors, strict compliance with legal safeguards for children during police interventions and the creation of an accessible reporting mechanism for young people.
