A report from the Irish Network of Legal Observers (INLO) has declared that, when stopping peaceful Palestine demonstrators on October 4, the Garda Síochána (Republic of Ireland police) likely was:
…in violation of obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (article 21) and the European Convention on Human Rights (article 11).
The protesters were attacked on East Wall Road when attempting to march to block Dublin port tunnel. Two days before, anti-genocide activists had succeeded in shutting down that area, causing significant disruption in response to the Irish government’s participation in Zionist mass slaughter. Ireland continues to allow Shannon airport to be used as a stop off point for US military flights, on their way to the illegitimate entity commonly referred to as ‘Israel’. It is also the second largest trading partner with the Zionist regime, and by far the highest per capita.
Garda pepper sprayed people in the face at point blank range for trying to stop a genocide
The gardaí were clearly keen to avoid a repeat of the events 48 hours earlier, as a group of around 150 protesters broke off from the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) rally being held in the city centre that day, and made their way towards the port.
The INLO had seven observers present in “high-visibility orange vests” to observe the police response to the group, with the first incident occurring at 14:08. The report describes protesters locking arms and attempting to push through the garda line. The gardaí responded with batons and “pepper spray at short range within one metre”, both a violation of the Garda’s own policies.
Its Incapacitant Spray Policy states that the irritant may only be used:
…when faced with violence or the threat of violence and it is reasonable to believe that such violence or threat of violence may result in injury to themselves or others, including self-harm by an individual.
The observer report asserts that:
No violence or threat of violence was present at the protest and protesters retreated when pepper spray was used. Pepper spray continued to be used as the protesters retreated.
Police are also forbidden from using pepper spray within one metre, except when unavoidable, which the INLO say was not the case on October 4.
The legal observers also note the lack of verbal warning given to those targeted, and the indiscriminate and reckless use of the spray that resulted in INLO members being affected themselves. One even reported being deliberately targeted:
In both my footage and others which was later shared to me, the Garda is clearly shown to be using IS [incapacitant spray] on me despite me visibly being a LO [Legal Observer] that was retreating with the crowd. Given that he paused from spraying the protesters and then me, I believe I was being targeted for having filmed him misusing the IS on protesters in close proximity.
The report goes on to outline how gardaí have an obligation to do precisely the opposite of targeting LO’s – they are required to have protection in much the same way doctors or journalists do at protests.
Broken wrists and crushed heads as louts in uniform run amok
As for batons, their use is only permitted if it is proportionate, necessary, and provided for by law. The report describes excessive use of force, such as hits directed at around head height and fleeing protesters being struck. Other brutal treatment highlighted includes:
…one protester who had raised his hands to surrender was pushed to the ground and as a result, broke his wrist and when another person was put into a choke hold while being arrested.
This incident occurred during a second confrontation at 15:55. Another shocking case of thuggery was when one man broke through police lines, before being caught by police:
The garda dragged the man to the ground, and sat on his head to subdue him. This effectively placed the protester in a choke hold. Another garda kneeled on the man’s back, while he was handcuffed and face down. The man could be heard saying that he
was bleeding, losing feeling in his hand and indicated that he was in pain.
The report’s findings are extensively corroborated by footage taken that day by activists present. Paul Murphy, a TD for People Before Profit said protesters were:
…subject to gross Garda brutality. The videos are horrific. I can’t think of the last time you had such Garda viciousness and violence against protesters since maybe the Rossport protest.
The Rossport protests in 2005 were in response to five men being imprisoned for interfering with construction of a Shell pipeline.
Cops don’t uphold the law – they’re just the hired goons of a murderous political class
The INLO report concludes by describing Garda actions as “disproportionate and in violation of their own policies”. It reiterates the likely breach of crucial human rights law such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The UN Human Rights Committee states:
Peaceful assemblies can sometimes be used to pursue contentious ideas or goals. Their
scale or nature can cause disruption, for example of vehicular or pedestrian movement or economic activity. These consequences, whether intended or unintended, do not call into question the protection such assemblies enjoy. To the extent that an event may create such disruptions or risks, these must be managed within the framework of the Covenant.
The brutality of October 4 is simply another reminder that the police aren’t there to protect the law – they are simply the hired thugs paid off by a genocidal political class to ensure their role in mass slaughter can continue unabated. If cops were there to ensure legal frameworks are adhered to, they would be assisting the protesters in disruptive action, as citizens continue to act as the sole upholders of the Genocide Convention ignored by those in power.
Featured image via the Canary
This post was originally published on Canary.