Police and the G8 - then and now
BL | 17.03.2005 11:50 | G8 2005 | Analysis | Indymedia | Repression | London | World
"kicked, punched, slapped, tripped, clubbed and dragged by their hair" - just some of the abuses meted out to about 150 detained protesters following the G8 summit in Genoa in July 2001, according to prosecutors. This week saw the publication of a damning report about the human rights abuses by police in Italy during protest against the G8 during 2001 in Genoa.
The 534 page report details cases such as the detainee forced onto his hands and knees and make to bark like a dog, female prisoners forced to take off their clothes in front of male officers and threats of sexual assault.
The prosecutors suggest their findings should be presented to the European Court of Human Rights.
Meanwhile, four years on and the police in the UK are preparing for the 2005 G8 taking place in Scotland in July.
On Monday, the climate changing campaign network, Rising Tide, organised an Alternative Summit for Climate Justice, held at Toynbee Hall. Around 100 people attended the seminar which was closely watched by more than 20 police in what one participant characterized as “the sort of attempt at intimidation that is becoming routine in Blair’s Britain”.
On tuesday, the police arrested two people at a noisy demonstration protesting the climate policies of G8 ministers who were meeting in the City of London for pre G8 talks. About 40 demonstrators beat pots and pans, blew whistles and horns, to demonstrate their opposition to the business as usual policies being proposed as solutions to global warming. Outnumbered by more than 50 police officers, the protests were initially restricted to a side street away from the main entrance of The Brewery on Chiswell Street, where the ministerial meeting was taking place.
Arrests were made after a section 14 order was imposed when the protesters moved to the main enterence prior to ending their demonstration.
Amoung the arrest was myself, a freelance journalist and filmaker working on a film about the G8. I won't go into detail since the incident will be subject to legal action but I was arrested within minutes of showing my press credentials. I was held for ten hours (which prevented me from selling my footage to the broadcast media) and charged under section 14 of the public order act. When released it was with police bail conditions that included not entering the City of London and not attending Derby on Thursday 18th which will of course make it impossible for me to cover the events taking place there. The police also retained my footage, video camera and notes - thereby denying me the tools of my trade.
Derby is the location of the G8 Environment and Development Ministers meeting and police and councillors in Derbyshire are seeking to ban demonstrations planned to conicide with the meetings taking place this thursday. The Home Secretary Charles Clarke will today consider meansures to be imposed whic will almost certainly mean a section 14 order to limit the size, length and location of any demonstartion and perhaps a section 60 order to create a huge exclusion zone around the summit site itself.
Student campaign group People and Planet has organised a series of events including talks by speakers such as Shiona Baird, Dundee-based Green Party MSP, and John McAllion on behalf of Oxfam Scotland, and there will be screenings of films about trade justice and climate change. The week of events also includes Noam Chomsky delivering a talk via a live video link from a seminar in Edinburgh.
Filmaker Mike Bonanno will also speak at a trade justice event prior to the screening of his comedic documentary, The Yes Men which follows the antics of a small group of prankster activists that gain world-wide notoriety for impersonating the World Trade Organisation on TV and at business conferences around the globe.
Meanwhile, according to Lucy Adams writting for The Herald at the weekend - Police will be targeting persistent criminals in run-up to G8 to try to put as many persistent offenders behind bars as possible to allow them to concentrate on security for the G8 summit. "The chief officer in charge of G8 security said officers Scotland-wide would target career criminals before the world's political leaders arrive at Gleneagles in July."
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Background articles....
Clarke May Crack Down on 'Challenge Anneky' Summit Protest
The Scotsman - By David Stringer, PA
Tue 15 Mar 2005 (UK)
"Home Secretary Charles Clarke is today expected to approve a security crackdown on protesters aiming to bring chaos to a rural village where Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett will host an international summit.
Police and councillors in Derbyshire have requested bans on demonstrations in four locations amid fears an anarchist group will use the meeting as a warm-up for disruption of the G8 conference in Gleneagles, Scotland, in July.
Officers have already calculated policing the talks in Derbyshire, at which G8 environment and development ministers will meet senior officials from the United Nations and the World Bank, will cost around £2 million.
The Dissent protest group has called on supporters to gather in Derby on Thursday, the day of the meeting, before marching across the city and through local villages to the Breadsall Priory Hotel, where the delegates will hold their talks.
It has arranged a Challenge Anneky day, themed on Anneka Rice’s TV show, and is offering spoof prizes to anyone who hurls a pie at a G8 minister, or plants a skull-and-crossbones flag in the 18th hole of Breadsall’s golf course.
A meeting of Derby City Council’s cabinet has called on Mr Clarke to approve special measures to counter the threat, including a ban on marches through the city centre from noon today until noon on Saturday.
Council leader Maurice Burgess said: “Police intelligence suggests there could be trouble and disruption if the protesters were allowed to leave the Market Place and process through the city and up to Breadsall Priory.
“We want to avoid that and enable the protesters to have their say peacefully. This is the first time we have had to seek such an order and have not taken this decision lightly.”
A protest will be allowed in the city’s Market Place, but with a limit of 3,000 people. Police said fewer than 500 activists were expected to attend.
Neighbouring Erewash Borough Council has also asked for a ban on protests and gatherings in three villages surrounding the summit site, Little Eaton, Morley and Breadsall.
A Home Office spokesman said the requests are being considered today.
Prime Minister Tony Blair will host George Bush, Vladimir Putin and fellow G8 leaders in Gleneagles from July 6 to 8.
G8 protesters 'abused' by cops
14/03/2005 14:08 - (SA) News24.com
"They were kicked, punched, slapped, tripped, clubbed and dragged by their hair. Those are some of the abuses meted out to about 150 detained protesters by authorities following the G8 summit in Genoa in July 2001, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors in Genoa released a 534-page report Saturday detailing "inhuman" and "degrading" behaviour by police officers, corrections officers and doctors at the Bolzaneto police garrison, Italian media reported on Sunday.
Some of the detainees also were hit in the groin and were forced to scream the fascist salute, Viva il Duce (Long Live the Leader), a reference to Fascist leader Benito Mussolini.
The prosecutors also said the abuse included forcing at least one detainee on his hands and knees and making him bark like a dog, and the threat of sexual assault, according to Italian news agency ANSA. Female prisoners also were forced to take their clothes off in front of male officers.
The report denounced what it said was a violation of human rights, but stopped short of describing the abuse as torture.
Grave jeopardy
It found "grave jeopardy to people's rights" at the hands of 15 police officers, 16 corrections officials, 11 Carabinieri paramilitary police and five doctors, the daily Corriere della Sera and ANSA reported.
The prosecutors suggest their findings should be presented to the European Court of Human Rights, according to the Corriere. About 500 people were taken to the garrison following a raid against anti-globalisation protesters during the 2001 summit, according to the newspaper.
Those held at Bolzaneto - many of them from other European countries and the United States - said they were physically and mentally abused. They said they were deprived of food, water and medical care. Police watched when they used the toilet.
Foreign detainees said it took days to see their lawyers and consular officials. Some European countries lodged formal protests, and the United States expressed concern.
The prosecutors found that the detainees were insulted, kicked and pushed when they arrived at Bolzaneto and that the abuses continued throughout their detention.
The pre-dawn raid on the Diaz school in Genoa, which housed many protesters, was one of the most controversial episodes of the July 2001 summit. Some protesters said they were attacked as they slept. Police said they were acting on a tip that violent demonstrators were hiding in the school.
The summit was marred by violence. A 23-year-old Italian protester was shot dead by police, more than 200 were injured and more than 300 people were arrested.
In December, a judge ordered 28 police officers to stand trial for their alleged brutality in the raid. The start of the trial was set for this April.
This latest report from prosecutors relates to separate accusations. "
[AP] GENOA, Italy
"A new report describes in alarming detail the alleged abusive treatment of about 150 protesters at the Group of Eight summit in Genoa, Italy, in 2001.
The report says detained protesters were kicked, slapped, tripped, kneed in the groin and dragged by their hair. It describes the behavior of police officers, corrections officers and doctors as "inhuman" and "degrading."
The extent of the brutality has prompted comparisons to the abuse and sexual humiliation of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib (grayb). The report denounced what it said was a violation of human rights but stopped short of describing the abuse as torture.
An Italian newspaper reports that unless the judicial process is put on a fast track the statute of limitations could run out. One demonstrator was shot dead by police during the actual protests."
Ben L
The 534 page report details cases such as the detainee forced onto his hands and knees and make to bark like a dog, female prisoners forced to take off their clothes in front of male officers and threats of sexual assault.
The prosecutors suggest their findings should be presented to the European Court of Human Rights.
Meanwhile, four years on and the police in the UK are preparing for the 2005 G8 taking place in Scotland in July.
On Monday, the climate changing campaign network, Rising Tide, organised an Alternative Summit for Climate Justice, held at Toynbee Hall. Around 100 people attended the seminar which was closely watched by more than 20 police in what one participant characterized as “the sort of attempt at intimidation that is becoming routine in Blair’s Britain”.
On tuesday, the police arrested two people at a noisy demonstration protesting the climate policies of G8 ministers who were meeting in the City of London for pre G8 talks. About 40 demonstrators beat pots and pans, blew whistles and horns, to demonstrate their opposition to the business as usual policies being proposed as solutions to global warming. Outnumbered by more than 50 police officers, the protests were initially restricted to a side street away from the main entrance of The Brewery on Chiswell Street, where the ministerial meeting was taking place.
Arrests were made after a section 14 order was imposed when the protesters moved to the main enterence prior to ending their demonstration.
Amoung the arrest was myself, a freelance journalist and filmaker working on a film about the G8. I won't go into detail since the incident will be subject to legal action but I was arrested within minutes of showing my press credentials. I was held for ten hours (which prevented me from selling my footage to the broadcast media) and charged under section 14 of the public order act. When released it was with police bail conditions that included not entering the City of London and not attending Derby on Thursday 18th which will of course make it impossible for me to cover the events taking place there. The police also retained my footage, video camera and notes - thereby denying me the tools of my trade.
Derby is the location of the G8 Environment and Development Ministers meeting and police and councillors in Derbyshire are seeking to ban demonstrations planned to conicide with the meetings taking place this thursday. The Home Secretary Charles Clarke will today consider meansures to be imposed whic will almost certainly mean a section 14 order to limit the size, length and location of any demonstartion and perhaps a section 60 order to create a huge exclusion zone around the summit site itself.
Student campaign group People and Planet has organised a series of events including talks by speakers such as Shiona Baird, Dundee-based Green Party MSP, and John McAllion on behalf of Oxfam Scotland, and there will be screenings of films about trade justice and climate change. The week of events also includes Noam Chomsky delivering a talk via a live video link from a seminar in Edinburgh.
Filmaker Mike Bonanno will also speak at a trade justice event prior to the screening of his comedic documentary, The Yes Men which follows the antics of a small group of prankster activists that gain world-wide notoriety for impersonating the World Trade Organisation on TV and at business conferences around the globe.
Meanwhile, according to Lucy Adams writting for The Herald at the weekend - Police will be targeting persistent criminals in run-up to G8 to try to put as many persistent offenders behind bars as possible to allow them to concentrate on security for the G8 summit. "The chief officer in charge of G8 security said officers Scotland-wide would target career criminals before the world's political leaders arrive at Gleneagles in July."
---
Background articles....
Clarke May Crack Down on 'Challenge Anneky' Summit Protest
The Scotsman - By David Stringer, PA
Tue 15 Mar 2005 (UK)
"Home Secretary Charles Clarke is today expected to approve a security crackdown on protesters aiming to bring chaos to a rural village where Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett will host an international summit.
Police and councillors in Derbyshire have requested bans on demonstrations in four locations amid fears an anarchist group will use the meeting as a warm-up for disruption of the G8 conference in Gleneagles, Scotland, in July.
Officers have already calculated policing the talks in Derbyshire, at which G8 environment and development ministers will meet senior officials from the United Nations and the World Bank, will cost around £2 million.
The Dissent protest group has called on supporters to gather in Derby on Thursday, the day of the meeting, before marching across the city and through local villages to the Breadsall Priory Hotel, where the delegates will hold their talks.
It has arranged a Challenge Anneky day, themed on Anneka Rice’s TV show, and is offering spoof prizes to anyone who hurls a pie at a G8 minister, or plants a skull-and-crossbones flag in the 18th hole of Breadsall’s golf course.
A meeting of Derby City Council’s cabinet has called on Mr Clarke to approve special measures to counter the threat, including a ban on marches through the city centre from noon today until noon on Saturday.
Council leader Maurice Burgess said: “Police intelligence suggests there could be trouble and disruption if the protesters were allowed to leave the Market Place and process through the city and up to Breadsall Priory.
“We want to avoid that and enable the protesters to have their say peacefully. This is the first time we have had to seek such an order and have not taken this decision lightly.”
A protest will be allowed in the city’s Market Place, but with a limit of 3,000 people. Police said fewer than 500 activists were expected to attend.
Neighbouring Erewash Borough Council has also asked for a ban on protests and gatherings in three villages surrounding the summit site, Little Eaton, Morley and Breadsall.
A Home Office spokesman said the requests are being considered today.
Prime Minister Tony Blair will host George Bush, Vladimir Putin and fellow G8 leaders in Gleneagles from July 6 to 8.
G8 protesters 'abused' by cops
14/03/2005 14:08 - (SA) News24.com
"They were kicked, punched, slapped, tripped, clubbed and dragged by their hair. Those are some of the abuses meted out to about 150 detained protesters by authorities following the G8 summit in Genoa in July 2001, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors in Genoa released a 534-page report Saturday detailing "inhuman" and "degrading" behaviour by police officers, corrections officers and doctors at the Bolzaneto police garrison, Italian media reported on Sunday.
Some of the detainees also were hit in the groin and were forced to scream the fascist salute, Viva il Duce (Long Live the Leader), a reference to Fascist leader Benito Mussolini.
The prosecutors also said the abuse included forcing at least one detainee on his hands and knees and making him bark like a dog, and the threat of sexual assault, according to Italian news agency ANSA. Female prisoners also were forced to take their clothes off in front of male officers.
The report denounced what it said was a violation of human rights, but stopped short of describing the abuse as torture.
Grave jeopardy
It found "grave jeopardy to people's rights" at the hands of 15 police officers, 16 corrections officials, 11 Carabinieri paramilitary police and five doctors, the daily Corriere della Sera and ANSA reported.
The prosecutors suggest their findings should be presented to the European Court of Human Rights, according to the Corriere. About 500 people were taken to the garrison following a raid against anti-globalisation protesters during the 2001 summit, according to the newspaper.
Those held at Bolzaneto - many of them from other European countries and the United States - said they were physically and mentally abused. They said they were deprived of food, water and medical care. Police watched when they used the toilet.
Foreign detainees said it took days to see their lawyers and consular officials. Some European countries lodged formal protests, and the United States expressed concern.
The prosecutors found that the detainees were insulted, kicked and pushed when they arrived at Bolzaneto and that the abuses continued throughout their detention.
The pre-dawn raid on the Diaz school in Genoa, which housed many protesters, was one of the most controversial episodes of the July 2001 summit. Some protesters said they were attacked as they slept. Police said they were acting on a tip that violent demonstrators were hiding in the school.
The summit was marred by violence. A 23-year-old Italian protester was shot dead by police, more than 200 were injured and more than 300 people were arrested.
In December, a judge ordered 28 police officers to stand trial for their alleged brutality in the raid. The start of the trial was set for this April.
This latest report from prosecutors relates to separate accusations. "
[AP] GENOA, Italy
"A new report describes in alarming detail the alleged abusive treatment of about 150 protesters at the Group of Eight summit in Genoa, Italy, in 2001.
The report says detained protesters were kicked, slapped, tripped, kneed in the groin and dragged by their hair. It describes the behavior of police officers, corrections officers and doctors as "inhuman" and "degrading."
The extent of the brutality has prompted comparisons to the abuse and sexual humiliation of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib (grayb). The report denounced what it said was a violation of human rights but stopped short of describing the abuse as torture.
An Italian newspaper reports that unless the judicial process is put on a fast track the statute of limitations could run out. One demonstrator was shot dead by police during the actual protests."
Ben L
BL
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