UN Experts Condemn Germany for Suppressing Palestinian Solidarity Protests

“Under the right to peaceful assembly, non-violent protests are protected and must not be punished,” the experts said.

A group of United Nations human rights experts has issued a strong rebuke to the Government of Germany, urging it to end the criminalisation, punishment, and suppression of Palestinian solidarity activism within its borders. The experts expressed deep alarm over what they described as a persistent and escalating pattern of police violence, arbitrary arrests, and restrictive measures targeting individuals and organisations supporting Palestinian rights.

Escalating Restrictions on Peaceful Protest

In a joint statement released in Geneva, the experts said they were “alarmed by the persistent pattern of police violence and apparent suppression of Palestine solidarity activism by Germany.” They called on the German authorities to uphold their international human rights obligations, particularly the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression without discrimination.

“Under the right to peaceful assembly, non-violent protests are protected and must not be punished,” the experts said. “Political protests and those expressing dissent must not be subject to undue restrictions based on content.”

Since October 2023, Germany has witnessed an intensifying clampdown on Palestine-related demonstrations. Despite the largely peaceful nature of these gatherings, participants have faced surveillance, police brutality, and prosecution. Protesters have rallied around humanitarian and political demands, including calls to halt arms exports to Israel, end the ongoing war and occupation, ensure humanitarian aid access to Gaza, and recognize the State of Palestine.

Reports of Police Violence and Arbitrary Arrests

According to reports cited by the UN experts, numerous incidents of police violence and excessive force have occurred during peaceful assemblies, particularly in Berlin, where several protesters sustained injuries requiring medical attention. Many were arrested for chanting the slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which the German authorities have controversially interpreted as support for Hamas.

The experts noted that while some German courts have upheld bans and fines against the slogan, others have ruled that its use falls under freedom of expression, reaffirming its legitimacy as a political statement of Palestinian liberation rather than a call to violence.

“Germany must not weaponize legal ambiguities to criminalize peaceful political expression,” the experts warned.

The statement also condemned arbitrary arrests, detentions, and police assaults during protests marking the anniversary of the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack and Israel’s subsequent military actions in Gaza, which many human rights organizations have described as genocidal in scale and intent. Eyewitness accounts documented cases of officers punching non-violent protesters, forcibly dispersing gatherings, and imposing last-minute protest bans without clear evidence-based justification.

Systemic Suppression of Palestinian Identity and Advocacy

The experts highlighted a broader campaign of repression against Palestinian advocacy groups and their allies in Germany, including the banning and defunding of civil society organizations, restrictions on cultural and academic events, and the criminalization of speech perceived as pro-Palestinian.

“We have regularly raised with the German Government concerns related to undue restrictions on Palestinian solidarity movements,” they said, citing examples such as unjustified assembly bans, arbitrary detentions including of minors, and the use of immigration law to reject citizenship applications or deport activists.

The experts expressed concern that Germany’s measures are often justified on broad and vague grounds—such as protecting public safety, combating antisemitism, or preventing support for terrorist organizations—without sufficient legal or factual basis. These practices, they warned, create a “chilling effect” on democratic participation and civil freedoms.

Foreign Policy and Human Rights in Conflict

Germany’s government has defended its actions as necessary to prevent hate speech and maintain public order amid rising tensions over the Gaza conflict. However, UN experts counter that invoking foreign policy or national security concerns does not justify suppressing legitimate political dissent.

“The use of foreign policy-related justifications and misuse of immigration law to reject citizenship or deport activists are alarming,” the experts stated. “These are contrary to international standards and have a deep chilling effect on the protection of democratic freedoms.”

Germany has long positioned itself as a staunch ally of Israel, providing diplomatic and military support, including arms exports. Yet, this alignment has increasingly placed Berlin at odds with civil society movements and human rights advocates who accuse the government of hypocrisy — promoting human rights abroad while curbing them domestically when it comes to Palestinian solidarity.

Calls for Accountability and Democratic Safeguards

The UN experts urged Germany to immediately cease the criminalization of peaceful protest, review its law enforcement practices, and ensure accountability for police misconduct. They also called for the protection of activists, journalists, and organizations working on Palestinian rights from harassment or defunding.

“Germany must support, not suppress, actions aiming to stop atrocity crimes and genocide,” the experts said. “No circumstances can justify unnecessary and excessive police violence or unjust criminalisation for exercising fundamental freedoms.”

Broader European Implications

The German situation reflects a wider European trend of shrinking civic space for pro-Palestinian activism, as several EU member states have restricted demonstrations and censored expressions of solidarity under the guise of combating antisemitism. Human rights groups have warned that conflating legitimate criticism of Israeli policies with antisemitic hate speech undermines both the fight against racism and the protection of free expression.

The experts concluded by reaffirming that international law protects peaceful advocacy, regardless of political sensitivity:

“States have a duty to facilitate public debate and dissent — not silence it. Supporting human rights, including Palestinian rights, is not a crime.”

The UN experts confirmed that they have been in ongoing contact with the Government of Germany regarding these concerns and have requested a formal response outlining the steps being taken to align national practices with international human rights standards.