Amnesty International has condemned bans placed on demonstrations supporting Palestinians in European countries like France, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK.

Amnesty’s Deputy Director for Research in Europe, Esther Major says the ban is a disproportionate attack on the right to protest.

Major decried the fact that the authorities of many European countries have taken measures such as targeting certain chants, people with Palestinian flags and signs, and subjecting protesters to police brutality and arrest, saying in some cases, protests have been banned altogether.

She says the consequences of Israel’s bombing and illegal blockade on Gaza are understandable reasons for many people in Europe to protest for the rights of Palestinians.