In Spain, the economic crisis, austerity measures and cuts in basic social services have led thousands of people to take to the streets. Despite the peaceful nature of the majority of demonstrations, there were reports of excessive use of force and ill-treatment by police, an increase in the number of fines being issued for participating in protests and abuses by law enforcement officials against journalists reporting on the rallies. This report lays out Amnesty International’s concerns in relation to the restrictions imposed on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in the context of such demonstrations.
