Australia police watchdog to analyze complaints of brutality at protests towards Israeli president | EUROtoday

A police watchdog in Australia has mentioned it is going to examine how the protests in Sydney over Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s go to have been dealt with, after it acquired a number of complaints accusing officers of utilizing extreme pressure.

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) – an unbiased police oversight physique – mentioned in an announcement launched on Friday that it was “in public interest” to look at the violent confrontations between police and demonstrators on the Sydney Town Hall this week.

Police in Sydney clashed with folks protesting towards the go to of the Israeli presidentwho’s accused of inciting a genocide towards Palestinians in Gaza, allegations he denies. Police made at the very least 27 arrests amid allegations of extreme pressure used towards protesters and rights teams, studies mentioned.

The New South Wales Police (NSW) mentioned officers moved to clear the world after demonstrators tried to breach blockades, leading to arrests. Ten folks have been accused of assaulting cops.

“Following the receipt of a significant number of complaints, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission has decided … to investigate the police operation at Sydney Town Hall,” the LECC mentioned.

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“Including incidents of alleged misconduct on the part of New South Wales police officers against persons attending that location for a protest.”

It added that “the commission will obtain and review all available material, including video and phone footage, documents, records and other information, including that held by the NSW police force”.

The authorities mentioned inviting Mr Herzog to Australia after an antisemitic assault at Bondi Beach was meant to help the Jewish neighborhood, regardless of criticism from pro-Palestinian teams, together with the Palestine Action Group. There have been additionally protests in Melbourne on the final day of Mr Herzog’s controversial go to.

NSW premier Chris Minns had defended the police motion after movies of officers punching protesters on the anti-Herzog demonstrations had surfaced. He mentioned that officers did “everything possible” to keep away from violent confrontations.

“We can’t blame the police for doing what we asked them to do,” he mentioned on Thursday.

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“I’m certainly not going to throw NSW police under the bus in these circumstances for doing what is an incredibly difficult job, a job that millions of people in this state are grateful for.”

Palestine Action Group (PAG) spokesperson, Amal Naser, welcomed the unbiased investigation and mentioned that “Premier Chris Minns, minister Yasmine Catley, and police commissioner Mal Lanyon must take responsibility and resign for authorising and overseeing an operation that has shaken public confidence in the right to protest”.

Minister for police and counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley, mentioned: “The best thing we can do right now is to allow the LECC to do its job.

“Now is the time for calm. We must allow the investigation to take place and respect the integrity of that process.”

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Officers have been accused of utilizing pepper spray and kettling crowds into tight areas. Later footage additionally emerged which confirmed police punching protesters, and disrupting Muslims who have been praying.

Greens MP in NSW parliament, Abigail Boyd, had earlier claimed that she “got lifted off the ground” through the protest. “Another police officer punched me in the head, and then I had another one who punched me in the shoulder. I don’t understand how that’s a proportionate response”.

Josh Lees, an organiser for the Palestine Action Group, mentioned on Tuesday: “There is no justification for the police’s actions last night.”

Later, Mr Lanyon apologised for “any offence that may have been taken” after police dragged away folks praying exterior the city corridor.

Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory spokesperson, Mohamed Duar, mentioned in an announcement: “Amnesty International was shocked and horrified by the unnecessary and disproportionate force used by NSW police against First Nations Peoples, Muslims in prayer and members of the public who came together at the Sydney Town Hall protest to demand Herzog be investigated for incitement of genocide.”

He added: “The LECC has rightly heeded our call for an independent investigation and listened to the concerns of many others who attended the protest.”

“Law enforcement officials should be protecting people’s right to protest, not violently suppressing peaceful protest and harming those standing up for human rights.”