The further police action against demonstrators contradicted statements by the Governor of Istanbul this morning that they would not intervene in the park.

Activists have been protesting against the construction of a shopping centre in Gezi Park adjacent to the square, which is one of downtown Istanbul’s last green spaces.

In a statement to media, Istanbul’s Governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu said the intervention in Taksim Square was being carried out to remove banners from the Atatürk statue and the Atatürk Culture Centre on the square and that the police would not intervene in Gezi Park.

“The protests in Taksim Square and Gezi Park have been entirely peaceful and have a right to continue. Intervention by the authorities should only be carried out for legitimate reasons – wanting to have a few banners taken down is, simply, not adequate justification,” said Andrew Gardner, Turkey researcher at Amnesty International who is currently in Istanbul.

“When we met with the Governor this afternoon, he continued to insist that the police were using appropriate force in pursuit of legitimate goals. Neither of these claims is consistent with the reality on the ground.”

Amnesty International has also learned that some 72 lawyers were arrested at around 12 noon local time as they gathered to make a statement about the situation in Gezi Park at the Çağlayan Courthouse. They were initially held at the courthouse and then subsequently taken to Vatan Street police station.

Since protests began In Istanbul and across Turkey around two weeks ago, thousands of peaceful protesters have been reported injured as a result of police interventions. Up to three people have reportedly died in the course of the protests: one as a result of the excessive use of force and two, including one police officer, following accidents.

The Istanbul Medical Association revealed that there were more casualties as a result of today’s police assault on protesters. These included nine people injured by plastic bullets, several broken limbs, a number of cases of head and chest trauma and one fractured skull.

The Turkish authorities have, so far, failed to investigate any of the reports of abuse and no one has been brought to justice.

“Instead of continuing to repress peaceful activists, the Turkish authorities should start to look at the actions of their own police and bring to justice those responsible for the shocking abuse we have seen over the past two weeks,” said Gardner.

The General National Congress, the highest legislative authority in Libya, was reportedly due to vote yesterday on a bill was proposed in December banning officials from Muammar al-Qadhafi’s regime and their associates from politics.

According to media reports, protesters gathered outside the national assembly when the vote was postponed and refused to let the lawmakers leave, before finally relenting hours later. There are also reports of protestors shooting at the speaker of the parliament, Mohammed Magarief.

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) acknowledged that peaceful protest is a fundamental right, but cautioned that “it is of utmost importance at this critical juncture of Libya’s democratic transition to ensure that the democratically elected bodies and legitimate institutions of the State are enabled to carry out their duties in the service of the people in a conducive environment and that the integrity of their decisions is preserved.”

In a news release, the Mission further said that it “strongly encourages” Libya’s political and community leaders as well as civil society activists and all Libyans, to ensure that the ongoing transition be based on the respect for the law, the democratic principles and peaceful political dialogue.

“The Libyan people have committed to democracy as an irreversible choice and all Libyans owe it to their country and their revolution to come together and ensure that the political process is not derailed,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNSMIL, Tarek Mitri.

The General National Congress is working on a legal framework necessary for free, fair, and inclusive elections of the Constituent Assembly. Mitri has said that UNSMIL is ready to assist the Libyan authorities throughout the electoral process, at the Government’s request.

The Mission is also assisting in promoting the rule of law and protecting human rights, restoring public security, countering illicit arms proliferation and coordinating international assistance.

At least 176 men and women were arrested in the early hours of FRiday after staging a peaceful protest outside the Bureau for Investigation and Public Prosecution in Buraida, a city north of the capital Riyadh, in Qassim province.

They were calling for the release of more than 50 women and children, themselves detained since 27 February for their participation in another peaceful demonstration complaining about the incarceration of their relatives.

According to reports, those arrested this morning have been transferred to a prison in Tarfiyah, east of Buraida, while those detained since 27 February continue to be held at the central prison in Buraida. No one has had access to the outside world.

“This cat and mouse game authorities in Saudi Arabia are playing is, simply, outrageous,” said Philip Luther, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Amnesty International.

“Instead of persecuting peaceful protesters, what the Saudi Authorities should do is listen to their demands and release all those held solely for exercising their human rights.”

The women and children held since 27 February were demanding the release of their relatives, incarcerated without charge or trial or beyond the end of their sentences. Some of the women also called for the sacking of the Minister of Interior.

One of the women arrested, Rima al-Jeraish, is now in hospital after allegedly being beaten by female guards who tried to force her to remove all her clothes to carry out a search.

According to information received by Amnesty International, she lost consciousness after her head was banged against a wall and now has a broken arm and bruises on her body.

Protests are banned in Saudi Arabia and criticism of the state is not tolerated.

However, since 2011 protests have been held by relatives of those held without charge or trial with increasing frequency in towns and cities around the country.

“There is no justification for the long-standing ban on demonstrations in Saudi Arabia. The authorities must respect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and release the protesters immediately and unconditionally,” said Philip Luther.

Those who do criticize the government are often held incommunicado without charge, sometimes in solitary confinement, and denied access to lawyers or the courts to challenge the legality of their detention.Torture or other ill-treatment is frequently used to extract “confessions” from detainees, to punish them for refusing to “repent” or to force them to make undertakings not to criticize the government.

When authorities do press charges, it is sometimes with vaguely worded offences that cover conduct that should not be criminalized, such as “disobeying the ruler”. Defendants are generally denied legal counsel, and in many cases, they and their families are not informed of the progress of legal proceedings against them. Court hearings are often held behind closed doors.

The Qassim province police issued a statement today confirming that 161 men and 15 women had been arrested early this morning for unlawful gathering and reiterated that they would deal firmly with all those who oppose the ban on gatherings, marches and sit-ins. They also said that they had arrested six children, but that they were trying to hand them over to their families.

The briefing, Rampant impunity: Still no justice for protesters killed in the “25 January Revolution”, details shortcomings in investigations and prosecutions of those responsible for the deaths of some 840 individuals during the demonstrations that ended over 30 years of Hosni Mubarak’s repressive rule and led to the first elected civilian President in Egypt. At least 6,600 people also sustained injuries during the protests, which were brutally suppressed by the security forces.

At least 12 people have died during protest violence since President Mohamed Morsi took office.

According to information gathered by Amnesty International in Egypt, during the uprising security forces used tear gas, water cannon, shotguns, rubber bullets and live ammunition against protesters, in many cases when they were posing no threat to them.

No senior official or security officer has been convicted or justly punished for killing or injuring protestors.

“President Morsi has repeatedly paid tribute to those who died during the ’25 January Revolution’, yet little effective action has been taken to ensure those responsible face justice. In reality two years after the uprising the security forces appear to be getting away with murder” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme.

“By not ensuring the perpetrators are punished, President Morsi is doing little to distance himself from decade of abuses”.

Courts in Egypt continue to acquit senior and other security officials. In some cases, acquittals were based on the lack of evidence or because the courts found the defendants were exercising their right to self-defence, despite well-documented evidence that police used excessive and lethal force when not strictly necessary.

Furthermore, the guilty verdict against President Hosni Mubarak and his Minister of Interior, Habib El Adly, for complicity in killing protestors was overturned by the Court of Cassation on 13 January; opening the door for their retrial.

According to relatives and lawyers interviewed by Amnesty International, many acquittals and the failure of some cases to even reach court is due to shortcomings in the evidence-gathering process — including video material; medical and forensic reports; and ballistic evidence which in many cases were not examined or even presented to the courts.

Other essential information like records of telephone communications between security officials, registries of deployed security forces and records of weapons and munitions provided to security forces was not obtained from the Ministry of Interior.

Complaints also included the fact that police officers were involved in the investigations, prompting fears that they might tamper with evidence or withhold information in order to absolve their colleagues and institutions from liability.

Shortly after assuming power in June 2012, President Morsi established a fact-finding committee to look into the killing and wounding of protesters which took place before he took office. He also appointed a new Public Prosecutor who promised to conduct fresh investigations and retrials for those acquitted of killing protestors if new evidence emerges.

Relatives of those killed told Amnesty International they had been asked to present new evidence and that several witnesses had faced intimidation.

“The creation of the Fact-Finding Committee was a good initial step forward but for it to be a truly positive development, the report needs to be made public and gaps and shortcoming in investigations must be addressed. Victims and society as a whole have the right to full truth,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.

Ten people died in clashes between supporters and opponents of President Morsi on the night of 5-6 December 2012, while security forces failed to intervene and protect protesters from violence and assault.

“President Morsi needs to turn his promises into reality and demonstrate strong political will to deliver justice for human rights abuses committed against protestors, ensuring that all those responsible up and down the chain of command and regardless of rank or political affiliation are held accountable. Only then will he be able to break with the legacy of past abuses, and avoid further killings of protestors.”

In several statements the Interior Ministry justified the use of force on the grounds that protesters had blocked traffic, thrown stones at the police, and attacked them. However, Human Rights Watch interviewed more than 20 protest organizers, participants, rights activists, and witnesses, who said that demonstrations they took part in or witnessed were largely peaceful. They said that masked riot police used tear gas and sound bombs without warning to disperse demonstrations and beat protesters while arresting them for participating in “unauthorized protests.”

“There is no justification for attacking peaceful protesters,” said Eric Goldstein, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “The authorities should show they will not tolerate abuses by investigating all allegations of abuse by security forces and punishing those responsible for violating rights.”

Since mid-October, online activists and opposition groups have organized numerous demonstrations in various parts of Kuwait, protesting a decree by Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah and an election process that they said undermined their rights. The government initially banned all protests, then rescinded the decision.

The Kuwaiti authorities should respect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and investigate police use of force during the demonstrations, Human Rights Watch said. If force is required to stop violence by demonstrators, security forces should use the minimum force necessary to carry out lawful objectives.

Kuwait should increase the accountability of its police forces by ending the use of masked anti-riot forces who wear no badges identifying themselves, Human Rights Watch said. While police agents may have legitimate reasons to mask their identities in limited circumstances, such as when conducting surveillance, policing demonstrations is not one of them.

The political crisis in Kuwait began in June, when the emir suspended parliament for a month. The Constitutional Court then dissolved parliament but on September 25 rejected a government motion to amend the country’s electoral law. On October 7, the emir set December 1 for an election for a new parliament.

On October 19, the emir decreed amendments to the electoral law that reduced from four to one the number of votes each voter could cast. Opposition groups, including Islamists, liberals, nationalists, and tribal elements, condemned the move saying it had violated the constitution and that the electoral law should be amended only by an elected parliament.

Security forces used force and made arrests at several demonstrations, the protesters and witnesses said. In October, protesters said, security forces beat protesters near parliament after some protesters tore down a barrier. Security forces used teargas and sound bombs to disperse a demonstration  in Abraj and another on that date at Tahrir tower in Kuwait City. Security forces also used teargas and sound bombs at a demonstration on November 4 in Mishrif.

On October 21, the Interior Ministry issued a statement saying it would only allow protests at al-Irada Square, across from the National Assembly (parliament) building in Kuwait City, then permitted demonstrations on November 30 and December 8, both of which ended peacefully.

Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Kuwait ratified in 1996, states that “the right of peaceful assembly shall be recognized,” and that “no restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those imposed in conformity with the law and that are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order, the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.”

Kuwait’s constitution guarantees the right to freedom of assembly. In 2006, the constitutional court struck down 15 of the 22 articles of the 1979 Kuwaiti Public Gathering Law, including article 4, which requires permission to hold public gatherings. However permission is still required for marches.

“Kuwait’s rulers need to fully respect the right to assemble peacefully,” Goldstein said. “Declaring a gathering “unauthorized” does not give police license to beat protesters.”

The Interior Minister announced the ban on Tuesday saying that rallies and gatherings were associated with violence, rioting and attacks on public and private property. He said that the ban would continue until “security is maintained” and has suggested that one of his main concerns is the fact the rallies express opposition to the government and ruling family.

Police have also been attacked during recent gatherings. On 19 October the authorities reported that a policeman had died and another had been seriously injured by an explosion in al-Eker village when their patrol was attacked by rioters. A week later, a second policeman died in hospital after having been injured in protests earlier in the year.

“Even in the event of sporadic or isolated violence once an assembly is underway, the authorities cannot simply declare a blanket prohibition on all protests. Such a sweeping measure amounts to nothing less than nullifying the rights to freedom of association, expression and assembly,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Middle East and North Africa Programme Deputy Director at Amnesty International.

“Law enforcement officials must act to protect peaceful protesters rather than using the violent acts of a few as a pretext to restrict or impede the rights of all.”

Before the current ban, organizers of demonstrations and gatherings in Bahrain had to apply for permission from the authorities before going ahead, according to the code on Public Meetings, Processions and Gatherings.

The code imposes significant restrictions and is in breach of Bahrain’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

In recent months, scores of people have reportedly been arrested after participating in an “illegal gathering” and Amnesty International has adopted as prisoners of conscience Bahrainis jailed solely for exercising their right to peaceful assembly.

On 28 October three members of the al-Wefaq Islamic Society and organizers of a rally were reportedly detained after the rally that had been banned by the authorities went ahead without permission. They were released hours after without charges.

The Ministry of Interior announced on the same day that legal action would be taken against the rally’s organizers.

“The Sudanese government needs to take decisive action when its forces shoot and kill students peacefully demonstrating against the government,” said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “The government should denounce the illegal killings in Darfur and investigate those responsible.”

In Nyala, South Darfur, high school students started protesting on July 30 against transportation price increases. The following morning, police and national security forces dispersed the protests by shooting teargas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition at protesters, killing at least eight on the spot and injuring about 100 others.

As of August 2, at least 12 protesters had died, according to Sudanese nongovernmental groups monitoring the situation. A 16-year-old boy, a 17-year-old girl, and four other teenagers were among those killed.

The protests started at schools, then spread to the streets, with some protesters throwing rocks at police, blocking roads, and vandalizing a government building. Police and national security forces used teargas and rubber bullets and fired rifles to disperse them, witnesses told Human Rights Watch.

“Police used live ammunition against students who were just carrying signs that say, ‘People want the downfall of the regime,’” a witness told Human Rights Watch.

The United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials provide that security forces shall as far as possible apply nonviolent means before resorting to the use of force. Whenever the lawful use of force is necessary, the authorities should use restraint and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offense. Lethal force may only be used when it is “strictly unavoidable in order to protect life.”

The Basic Principles also provide that “[i]n cases of death and serious injury or other grave consequences, a detailed report [on the incident] shall be sent promptly to the competent authorities responsible for administrative review and judicial control.”

On August 2, Sudan’s justice minister formed a committee to investigate the Nyala killings and present findings within two weeks. Sudan has repeatedly failed to investigate and hold those responsible for serious violations of human rights in Darfur, Human Rights Watch said.

Since June 16, Sudanese security forces have violently suppressed student-led protests throughout the country using rubber bullets, teargas, and batons. The protests started in Khartoum in response to price increases, and soon spread to other towns. Thousands have been arrested and state security forces have targeted human rights activists and other perceived opponents of the ruling party for arrest and detention.

“This is another test of Sudan’s will to end serious violations in Darfur,” Bekele said. “Authorities should immediately carry out a full and impartial investigation, and prosecute those responsible. The people of Darfur deserve nothing less.”

“The use of tear gas in particular has reportedly resulted in a number of deaths of protestors and bystanders – and that number has reportedly risen in recent months,” Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), told reporters in Geneva.

“Reliable sources indicate that the civilians who died from tear gas suffered complications from gas inhalation, and that security forces have been firing metal tear gas canisters from grenade launchers into crowds,” he added.

The “worrying” reports received by OHCHR of the disproportionate use of force by Bahraini security forces, include the use of teargas, birdshot pellets and rubber bullets.

There have been renewed clashes in Bahrain since last month between security forces and demonstrators, a year after widespread civil protests first emerged in the country – similar to those seen in the wider Arab Spring movement that led to the toppling of regimes in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Yemen and has led to deadly fighting and humanitarian suffering in Syria.

OHCHR called on the Government to investigate the alleged use of excessive force, and said it hoped that the implementation of a new code of conduct requiring the police force to adhere fully to human rights principles will be “carefully monitored.”

The office also voiced its concern about the health of human rights defenders who are on hunger strike in protest against their imprisonment for participating in last year’s mass demonstrations.