Greek police use teargas to disperse protesters in Athens
Greek police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators gathered outside parliament on Thursday (July 9) in a bid to denounce a draft law attempting to regulate street protests in the country.
About 10,000 demonstrators rallied outside parliament as the bill was being debated by lawmakers inside.
At one point groups of protesters lobbed rocks, sticks and petrol bombs at riot police, who responded with tear gas, sending the crowds running.
The bill, which was to be voted on later on Thursday, mandates the appointment of a liaison officer, restrictions on demonstrations or outright bans if authorities deem they threaten public safety. It also holds organizers responsible for any harm or damage caused by protesters.
The issue is sensitive in Greece, where the right to protest is protected by the constitution. Street protests are a daily occurrence in the country, and a popular form of expression for many Greeks.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during the parliamentary debate that although demonstrations were a constitutional right they should not disrupt the daily lives of citizens.
Main opposition party leader Alexis Tsipras said the government was attempting to put a dent in democratic rights, and brought the law to hinder future demonstrations against the administration as it faced the economic impact of the measures taken to quell the coronavirus pandemic.
(Source: Reuters)
Flood deaths hit 205 as Spain reels from worst modern day disaster
G7 leaders decide to give $50bn to Ukraine from frozen Russian assets
'Nonsensical’ US request for Italian troops to Palestine
UNRWA warns of humanitarian collapse in Gaza
'Hello my enemies': Lebanese journalist on Israeli threats and his resolve to continue
Outrage in France as MP proposes bill to ban criticism of Israel
VIDEO | The strategy of Hezbollah in war
Israeli military withdraws several brigades from southern Lebanon: Report
48-year-old Palestinian man serving 48 life terms completes 22 years in Israeli jails
From MKO to Tondar, how Germany became safe haven for anti-Iran terror groups
Hamas open to any proposal aiming to end Gaza war: Hamdan
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
