Germany accused of silencing pro-Palestinian voices at UN rights forum
Germany faces accusations from Muslim countries of silencing pro-Palestinian voices and failing to do enough to tackle Islamophobia in a United Nations review of its human rights record, Reuters reports.
German authorities have cracked down on pro-Palestinian groups since the Hamas attacks on Israel and refused to authorise many pro-Palestinian protests, saying the curbs are to stop public disorder and prevent public antisemitism.
Supporters of the Palestinians say they feel blocked from publicly expressing support or concern for Gazans without risking arrest, their jobs, or immigration status.
Indonesia’s envoy to the UN in Geneva urged Germany to “ensure the freedom of opinion and expression is fulfilled by avoiding discriminatory treatments by police officers against activists, in particular to the peaceful pro-Palestinian protesters.”
“The rise of attacks on mosques and NSU (neo-Nazi) murders does demonstrate deep systemic failures of the German police and justice system in tackling such crimes,” said Turkey’s envoy.