The Global Faces of State-Sanctioned Violence: An Interactive Map Unveiled

Authorities around the world unlawfully suppress protests, says Amnesty International

Amnesty International has launched an interactive digital map that exposes the alarming increase in the repression of protests by states across the globe. The global map is part of Amnesty International’s flagship global campaign called “Protect the Protest” and documents the numerous human rights violations perpetrated against protesters worldwide. The map reveals how governments treat protests as a threat rather than a right, with law enforcement officials viewing their role as suppressing and subduing protesters instead of facilitating their rights. Thousands of people are being unlawfully dispersed, arrested, beaten, and even killed during demonstrations, with devastating consequences for their lives long after the protests end. Amnesty International emphasizes that peaceful protest is a right, not a privilege, and that authorities have a duty to respect, protect, and facilitate it.

A Global Trend of Repression

The map reveals that authorities in over 85 countries are using unlawful force against protesters. Amnesty International researcher Patrick Wilcken states, “For far too long, authorities across the world have launched a blistering attack on those who peacefully exercise their right to protest — and they have destroyed lives in the process.” The report highlights specific cases of repression in countries like Iran, where the authorities have unlawfully killed hundreds and arbitrarily detained tens of thousands of people, including children, to crush nationwide protests. The situation in China is equally concerning, where it is nearly impossible to protest peacefully without facing harassment, prosecution, and imprisonment for activists.

The Misuse of Less Lethal Weapons

The interactive digital map also sheds light on the widespread misuse of less lethal weapons, such as tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper spray, and batons, by authorities to harass, intimidate, punish, or disperse protesters. “Despite the widespread misuse of less lethal weapons, there is no global control over their production, trade, and use. It is shocking,” says Patrick Wilcken. Amnesty International believes that the map highlights the urgent need for an international treaty to regulate the trade in policing equipment, ensuring these weapons do not end up in the hands of abusive police forces.

The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic

The report acknowledges that the right to protest was significantly limited during the Covid-19 pandemic, with gatherings generally prohibited in most countries for public health reasons. However, Amnesty International notes that some states used the pandemic as an excuse to further restrict gatherings or introduce disproportionate restrictions. The Human Rights Measurement Initiative indicates that many countries struggled to bounce back, impacting the right to assembly and association. For instance, Angola scores 3.4 out of 10 on the right to assembly and association in its 2023 Rights Tracker. Activist Elizabeth Campos from Angola’s Movement for Women in Politics shares her experiences of protesting in her country, where democracy exists only on paper and protests can turn violent.

International Action Needed

Amnesty International’s interactive map serves to visualize and track the global scale of repression faced by protesters. The organization calls on governments to urgently reconsider their approach and put an end to the abhorrent violence against peaceful protests. Amnesty International also advocates for an international treaty to control the trade in tools of torture used to repress protesters and abuse detainees worldwide. It aims to push for improvements in how governments treat people and hold law enforcement authorities accountable for their abuses during efforts to crush demonstrations.