All posts in the topic Amnesty International statement on events in Saint Paul (Short link)

Sep 06 05:13 UTC

Well, Mayor Coleman seems to be correct in his comment that  "We put St. Paul
on a map that it's never been on before - as a city that could host any event."

Link here:  http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=ENGUSA20080905001&lang=e
Rueters Link:http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS203618+05-Sep-2008+PRN20080905

Use of Force Against RNC Protesters “Disproportionate,” Charges Amnesty
International

[London]--Amnesty International is concerned by allegations of excessive use of
force and mass arrests by police at demonstrations in St. Paul, Minnesota
during the Republican National Convention (RNC) from September 1-4, 2008. The
human rights organization is calling on the city and county authorities to
ensure that all allegations of ill-treatment and other abuses are impartially
investigated, with a review of police tactics and weapons in the policing of
demonstrations.

The organization’s concerns arise from media reports, video and photographic
images which appear to show police officers deploying unnecessary and
disproportionate use of non-lethal weapons on non-violent protestors marching
through the streets or congregating outside the arena where the Convention was
being held.

Amnesty International urges that an inquiry be carried out promptly, that its
findings and recommendations be made public in a timely manner. If the force
used is found to have been excessive and to have contravened the principles of
necessity and proportionality, then those involved should be disciplined,
measures put in place and training given to ensure future policing operations
conform to international standards.

Police are reported to have fired rubber bullets and used batons, pepper spray,
tear gas canisters and concussion grenades on peaceful demonstrators and
journalists. Amnesty International has also received unconfirmed reports that
some of those arrested during the demonstrations may have been ill-treated
while held at Ramsey county jail.

Amnesty International is also concerned at reports that several journalists who
were covering the RNC were arbitrarily arrested while filming and reporting on
the demonstrations. They include host of independent news program Democracy
Now!, Amy Goodman, and two of the program’s producers, Sharif Abdel Kouddous
and Nicole Salazar, who were both allegedly subjected to violence during their
arrest. A photographer for the Associated Press (AP) and other journalists were
also arrested while covering the demonstrations.

Kouddous described his arrest to media, “…two or three police officers tackled
me. They threw me violently against a wall. Then they threw me to the ground. I
was kicked in the chest several times. A police officer ground his knee into my
back…I was also, the entire time, telling them, ‘I’m media. I’m press….,’
but…that didn’t seem to matter at all.”

Amnesty International recognizes the challenges involved in policing large
scale demonstrations and that some protestors may have been involved in acts of
violence or obstruction. However, some of the police actions appear to have
breached United Nations (U.N.) standards on the use of force by law enforcement
officials. These stipulate, among other things, that force should be used only
as a last resort, in proportion to the threat posed, and should be designed to
minimize damage or injury. Some of the treatment also appears to have
contravened U.S. laws and guidelines on the use of force. The U.N. standards
also stress that everyone is allowed to participate in lawful and peaceful
assemblies, in accordance with the principles embodied in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights.

For more information, please contact the AIUSA media office at 202-544-0200
x302 or visit our website at www.amnestyusa.org.

Diane Gerth
West End and Downtown

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