An Amnesty International survey has found that the majority of Belgians support the right to protest as demonstrations face increased crackdowns from authorities.
An IPSOS survey conducted on behalf of Amnesty International Belgium has found that 60% of respondents believe the right to protest is essential for a healthy society.
74% have already participated in at least one form of protest (verbal dissent, symbolic acts, petitions, civil disobedience, demonstrations, boycotts, pickets, strikes, riots, blockades and online actions). 25% took part in a protest in the past six months and 18% are considering doing so in the near future.
"One of the most important findings of this survey is that Belgians, regardless of their political orientation, are clearly attached to their right to protest," said Wies De Graeve, director of Amnesty International Flanders. "Unfortunately, we see that peaceful protest is also increasingly under pressure in our county. That is why it is important to remind those in power that protest is not a favour from the government, but a right of the citizen that previous generations fought for."
Use of force 'out of the question'
Amnesty International points to a violent police response to a protest outside the Israeli Embassy in Uccle last May. Tear gas and water cannons were used against a crowd. Mayor of Uccle Boris Dilliès (MR) justified the intervention at the time as the protest had not requested permission and some protestors had become violent. The mayor also said that the troublemakers were vandals and not real demonstrators, and accused the far left of hijacking the demonstration.
"According to Amnesty, the fact that such permission was not given is certainly not a sufficient reason to proceed to ending or dispersing, let alone to using violence," says De Graeve.
"Dispersing a gathering may only be carried out if there is an urgent need and if all other means have failed to achieve a legitimate objective."
A Federal Institute for Human Rights (IFDH) report warns of an erosion of the right to demonstrate in Belgium. IFDH director Martien Schotsmans told Le Soir that the need to request prior approval for demonstrations is "dissuasive".
"Despite the risks and increasing restrictions, protest remains an essential pillar of democracy," she said. "I only have one thing to say: keep demonstrating."
Police use a water cannon in an attempt to disperse protestors. Credit: Belga / Lou Lampert
Respondents to the Amnesty International poll believed petitions (92%), verbal dissent (89%), demonstrations (88%) and online actions (86%) were the most important forms of protest.
As for causes worth defending, economical concerns (56%), social concerns (39%), environmental concerns (39%) and education (39%) were given the most importance.
The survey was conducted between February and March via online forms filled out by respondents aged over 18 in Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels.
