A quarter of a century ago, Chinese troops opened fire on protesters in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, killing hundreds and injuring thousands more. Join us in commemorating this day and calling on governments to respect fundamental human rights, including the right to peaceful assembly and free expression.
In a clear attempt to demonize and stifle dissent, the government has used draconian laws such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act to target and arrest protesters. In addition, the President publicly labels protesters as “terrorists” and “fascists” in an attempt to create a chilling effect on the movement.
On the campuses, students and faculty have been subjected to backlash from university administrators, big donors, and even elected officials who view student activists as a threat to their political interests. Many have been arrested, suspended, or expelled for participating in peaceful demonstrations that call into question the policies of their institutions.
Local law enforcement has also responded to protests by disproportionately targeting left-wing activists. At the Charlottesville “United the Right” rally in 2017, for example, police on horses charged protesters, hitting them with wooden rods and firing crowd control projectiles.
In Hungary, a new law restricting freedom to assembly was passed in just one day using the fast-track procedure. The law prohibits assemblies within 50m of state bodies and institutions, creating a broad legal basis for imposing restrictions on protests in the future. It targets Pride marches and other LGBT-related events, but could be expanded to other movements.
