The key facts

  • Committee P received 26 complaints about police conduct during the protests of 9 and 17 October
  • In total, more than 250 people were detained over two weeks of unrest (110 on 9 October, 152 on 17 October)
  • Human rights organizations SDJ and LDH report alleged violence against minors and criticize the frequent use of tear gas

Complaints to the oversight body

Belgium's police oversight body, Committee P, received 26 complaints about police conduct during recent youth protests in Brussels, the news portal Bruzz reported. The complaints concern alleged violations during the demonstrations of 9 and 17 October. The unrest lasted two weeks and led to more than 250 arrests.

Context of the protests

The unrest began during demonstrations against the federal government's austerity measures and cuts to funding for French-language education. On 9 October, the trade unions ACV and ABVV organized a nationwide day of action, which student movements joined.

Unrest on 9 October

According to police estimates, about 1,000 people took part in the unrest on 9 October. Public transport buses, car-sharing vehicles and street furniture were damaged; protesters threw bricks and pyrotechnic devices at police officers. 110 people were detained, including 30 judicial arrests; 21 people were handed over to the prosecutor's office on suspicion of possession of weapons, violence and vandalism.

Unrest on 17 October

On 17 October, another youth demonstration escalated into clashes with police and large-scale property damage. 152 people were detained, including 19 judicial arrests.

Statements by human rights groups

Human rights organizations report the alleged use of disproportionate force by police. Pierre-Yves Rosseau, director of Service Droit des Jeunes (SDJ), said the organization had received testimony of police violence against minors: “One minor was struck on the head with a baton. Another was hospitalized with a broken collarbone after a baton strike.” SDJ received several testimonies about the events of 9 and 12 October; reports related to the 17 October demonstration continue to come in. SDJ and the French-speaking League of Human Rights (LDH) also expressed concern about police tactics, in particular the frequent use of tear gas at demonstrations involving minors and children.