Amnesty International: Palestine emergency dissolution would be an alarming signal for rights defenders, in full genocide in Gaza

In a press release published on May 12, Amnesty International firmly denounces the dissolution procedure targeting the Emergency Palestine collective, initiated at the end of April by the Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau. This decision, expected tomorrow, occurs in full genocide in Gaza and constitutes, according to the NGO, a preceding serious for fundamental freedoms in France.

For Amnesty International, this procedure is a “very serious” signal sent to all those who, in France, want to express their solidarity peacefully with Palestinian civilians. “The Minister of the Interior claims to aim for Islamism, but it is the fundamental rights of all the French whom he weakens,” alerts Anne Savinel-Barras, president of Amnesty France.

The NGO denounces “disproportionate” restrictions: prohibitions to demonstrate, arbitrary arrests, confiscated flags, censored slogans. The dissolution of a militant collective, in the middle of a massacre in Gaza, would only strengthen the marginalization of those who dare to denounce the crimes committed. Protected by the international texts that France has ratified, freedom of association can only be limited in exceptional cases. However, the current French law allows dissolutions on blurred bases, without prior judicial control – a system contrary to international standards.

Amnesty International alerts a broader strategy for the criminalization of social and anti -racist movements. After the dissolution of the CCIF in 2020 and the threats against other collectives such as the young anti -fascist guard, the government seems to want to muzzle any form of organized protest, especially when it touches the Palestinian question. “This authoritarian drift weakens the democratic fabric and sends an freezing message to human rights associations”, underlines the organization.

The NGO also recalls that defending the rights of Palestinians is neither an offense, nor a danger for public order, but a legitimate and necessary commitment. “While international humanitarian law is flouted every day in Gaza, demanding justice and solidarity should be encouraged, un repressed. Dissolve Palestine emergency is trying to stifle an indignation that nothing can silence, ”concludes Amnesty. Instead of gaping activists, Amnesty calls on the government to comply with its international commitments, defending human rights, and concentrating its efforts on the end of violence in Gaza.