Report published by Equinox in June 2021
This report explores the persistent issues of racism and police brutality in Europe. Building on a global momentum of attention to racism and police brutality triggered by the 2020 protests in response to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery by police officers in the United States.
This report highlights key instances, phenomena and case studies relating to the persistent police brutality in Europe, and its particular impact on racialised people and communities. It asks readers to question why the names of Oury Jalloh, Stanislav Tomáš or Adil Charrot are not equally remembered, as those who lost their lives to racist police violence on our doorsteps. It asks, in a context of an ongoing lack of recognition and accountability: “Who protects us from the police?”.
The report specifically reflects on the many instances of police violence impacting racialised people in Europe, the vast majority of which have not received recognition, justice or accountability by traditional state practices, i.e. prosecution of law enforcement officers. Further, many instances of violence, harm and even death of racialised persons at the hands of European police have gone largely unnoticed in mainstream society, with recognition often limited to communities and activist circles primarily affected.
Read the full report here.