South African police must use restraint in response to students participating in nationwide protests, said Amnesty International.
Police have used teargas, rubber bullets and stun grenades against students in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.
University students have been protesting against proposed fee hikes for 2016.
Students have a right to express their grievances peacefully and police must respect this right
Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for Southern Africa
“We are alarmed by reports of police officers using teargas and rubber bullets against peaceful protesters. Students have a right to express their grievances peacefully and police must respect this right,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for Southern Africa.
“Law enforcement officials must comply with international standards governing the use of force in policing protests,” said Deprose Muchena.