GENEVA: The United Nations (UN) on Tuesday voiced concern over heavy-handed steps taken to disperse and dismantle pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses across the United States.
Tensions escalated as police clashed with demonstrators at the University of Texas at Austin on Monday, resorting to tactics such as the use of pepper spray and arrests while dismantling protest encampments. These incidents added to the tally of over 350 people detained nationwide over the weekend.
Footage showing police officers in riot gear intervening at various colleges to suppress rallies has garnered global attention, evoking memories of past protest movements, notably those during the Vietnam War era.
Expressing his concerns, UN human rights chief Volker Turk remarked, “I am concerned that some of the law enforcement actions across a series of universities appear disproportionate in their impact.” Turk emphasized the significance of freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly, particularly during times of sharp disagreement, such as the ongoing Israeli bombardment in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The resurgence of protests has reignited debates surrounding freedom of expression. “Incitement to violence or hatred on grounds of identity or viewpoints — whether real or assumed — must be strongly repudiated,” Turk emphasized.
