Belgium’s police oversight body, Committee P, has received 26 complaints concerning police conduct during recent youth protests in Brussels, following two weeks of unrest that resulted in more than 250 arrests, news portal Bruzz reported Wednesday.
The complaints relate to alleged police misconduct during demonstrations on Oct. 9 and Oct. 17, according to Committee P.
The unrest erupted during demonstrations against austerity measures introduced by the federal government and cuts to French-speaking education.
On Oct. 9, the ACV and ABVV trade unions organized a nationwide day of action, joined by student movements.
Police estimated that around 1,000 people were involved in the unrest, which resulted in extensive damage to public transport buses, shared vehicles and street furniture.
Protesters also threw bricks and pyrotechnic devices at police officers.
Police arrested 110 people during the unrest, including 30 in judicial arrests. Of those, 21 people were brought before the public prosecutor’s office over alleged offenses including weapons possession, violence and vandalism.
Further unrest occurred on Oct. 17, when another youth demonstration escalated into clashes with police and widespread property damage.
Police arrested 152 people, including 19 in judicial arrests.
Meanwhile, rights groups have reported allegations of disproportionate police force during the demonstrations.
Pierre-Yves Rosset, director of the Service Droit des Jeunes (SDJ), said his organization had received testimonies alleging police violence against minors.
“One minor was hit on the head with a baton. Another had to be hospitalized with a broken collarbone after being struck with a baton,” Rosset said.
SDJ has received several testimonies concerning the events of Oct. 9 and Oct. 12, while reports related to the Oct. 17 demonstration are still coming in.
SDJ and the French-speaking human rights organization Ligue des Droits Humains (LDH) have also raised concerns about police tactics during the demonstrations.
Both organizations questioned the frequent use of tear gas, particularly in demonstrations attended by minors and children.