Belgium’s police oversight body, Committee P, has received 26 complaints over alleged police misconduct during youth protests in Brussels, following two weeks of unrest that resulted in more than 250 arrests, news portal Bruzz reported on Wednesday.
The complaints concern police conduct during demonstrations on October 9 and 17, according to Committee P.
The unrest erupted amid protests against federal government austerity measures and cuts to French-speaking education.
On October 9, trade unions ACV and ABVV organised a nationwide day of action, joined by student movements.
Police estimated that around 1,000 people were involved in the unrest, during which public transport buses, shared vehicles and street furniture were damaged. Protesters also threw bricks and pyrotechnic devices at police officers.
Police arrested 110 people, including 30 in judicial arrests. Of those, 21 were brought before the public prosecutor’s office over alleged offences including weapons possession, violence and vandalism.
Further clashes erupted during another youth demonstration on October 17, resulting in widespread property damage and 152 arrests, including 19 in judicial arrests.
Rights groups raise concerns
Rights groups have reported allegations of disproportionate police force during the demonstrations, including violence against minors.
Pierre-Yves Rosset, director of the Service Droit des Jeunes (SDJ), said his organisation had received testimonies alleging that police officers injured young protesters.
“One minor was hit on the head with a baton. Another had to be hospitalised with a broken collarbone after being struck with a baton,” Rosset said.
The SDJ has received several testimonies concerning the events of October 9 and 12, while reports relating to the October 17 demonstration are still coming in.
The SDJ and the French-speaking human rights organisation Ligue des Droits Humains (LDH) have also questioned police tactics, particularly the frequent use of tear gas at demonstrations attended by minors and children.
