Police Tactics Under Scrutiny Amid Brussels Protests Involving Minors

Belgian police are facing scrutiny over their conduct during recent protests in Brussels, particularly concerning the presence of minors among demonstrators. The League of Human Rights described the police response as "disproportionate," alleging the use of water cannons, tear gas, and indiscriminate baton strikes against protesters. Teachers reportedly formed a human chain to shield students during the unrest. The protests, involving hundreds of teachers, union members, and students, were against planned austerity measures in French-speaking education. Demonstrators allegedly threw stones and firecrackers, damaged vehicles, and started fires, with authorities reporting the discovery of Molotov cocktails. Around a hundred people were arrested, including minors. In response to the criticism, the Brussels-Capital-Ixelles police zone defended their actions. They stated that firefighters had to abandon their intervention at a fire due to being targeted with fireworks and projectiles. The police also cited the dangerous escalation of a fire at the Central Station, where dozens of electric bikes and scooters caught fire, necessitating police intervention with a water cannon to prevent the blaze from spreading to surrounding buildings and to mitigate the threat posed by toxic fumes. Nikki Janssens from the Limburg police school PLOT explained that police training, known as GBOR (Negotiated Management of Public Space), emphasizes a gradual escalation of force, starting with dialogue. "In the heat of the moment, it is difficult to distinguish between who is in front of you," Janssens noted, suggesting that differentiating between adult protesters and minors can be challenging during intense situations. The training aims to de-escalate situations, with the use of force only increasing if dialogue fails.