Amnesty International announced Thursday that for the first time ever it is sending human rights observers to monitor protests outside both the Republication and Democratic National Conventions.
In a news release, the group cited what they said were reports of human rights violations at protests of fatal shootings by police in recent weeks as an impetus for monitoring the conventions this year.
“We are deeply concerned that people’s fundamental human right to peacefully assemble and protest may be violated during the conventions in Cleveland and Philadelphia,” Eric Ferrero, Amnesty International USA’s Deputy Executive Director for Strategic Communications and Digital Initiatives, said in a statement. “Amnesty International’s independent, trained observers will monitor the protests to ensure that human rights are protected. Our goals are to protect the rights to peaceful assembly and expression and to monitor whether or not authorities are interfering with those rights.”
Large protests are expected in both Cleveland, where the Republican National Convention will be held, and Philadelphia, where the Democratic National Convention will be held, with some planning to protest at the GOP convention saying they plan to come armed.
Amnesty International said it notified police in both cities of its plans to monitor the protests. In letters to those police departments, the group outlined the following expectations its monitors would be looking for:
The decision to disperse an assembly should be a last resort and should be communicated clearly and with ample time for people to comply.
If a small minority tries to turn a peaceful assembly into a violent one, police should protect the peaceful protestors and not use isolated violence as a pretext to impede the rights of the majority of protestors.
Police should not use force against protestors simply for assembling; the decision to disperse an assembly should only be taken when there are no other means available to protect public order from an imminent risk of violence; and the type of equipment used to disperse an assembly must be carefully considered and used only when necessary, proportional and lawful.Police should not selectively enforce laws against the media, legal observers, or protest organizers.
Arrest and detention should be carried out in accordance with the law and should not be used as a means to prevent peaceful protest or to intimidate or punish people for participating in a public assembly.
If people are arrested, police should not use restraints in an excessive manner; people who are arrested should have access to food and water, restrooms, medical attention, and legal counsel.
