The United Nations’ top human rights official has issued a stark warning to U.S. authorities amid escalating tensions over large-scale demonstrations in Los Angeles and across the country. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called on U.S. officials to respect the right to peaceful assembly and to refrain from using military force against protesters
His appeal follows President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to deploy U.S. Marines to Los Angeles to assist local law enforcement in managing protests, a move that has sparked both domestic and international criticism.
Protests and Military Deployment
The protests, which began on June 6, were triggered by widespread dissatisfaction with President Trump’s immigration enforcement actions, including raids on local businesses. Demonstrators, voicing their opposition, gathered in large numbers, with incidents of confrontation between police and protesters escalating in some areas. The Los Angeles Police Department responded with crowd control measures such as flashbangs, tear gas, and rubber bullets after some demonstrators threw objects and set fire to unattended vehicles
In an unprecedented step, President Trump authorized the deployment of National Guard and Marine Corps troops to Los Angeles, citing the need to protect federal facilities and maintain order. The president invoked Title 10 of the U.S. Code, which allows for the use of federal troops in cases of “rebellion or danger of rebellion.” However, California Governor Gavin Newsom and other officials have condemned the move as an overreach of federal power and a violation of state sovereignty
UN Calls for Restraint and Dialogue
In his address to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Volker Türk emphasized the importance of protecting human rights during law enforcement operations. “I call on the authorities to honor the right to peaceful assembly and to ensure that human rights are prioritized in law enforcement, particularly by abstaining from any deployment of military force when local authorities are capable of maintaining public order,” Türk stated
The UN rights chief’s intervention comes as the deployment of military personnel to U.S. cities raises concerns about the erosion of civil liberties and the potential for excessive force against peaceful demonstrators. Türk’s remarks reflect a broader international unease about the militarization of domestic law enforcement and the suppression of dissent.
Nationwide Demonstrations and Legal Challenges
The situation in Los Angeles has galvanized protesters across the country. “No Kings” demonstrations, opposing President Trump’s policies and the military deployment, were coordinated in nearly 2,000 locations nationwide. These protests, spanning urban centers and small communities, have seen further confrontations with law enforcement and resulted in hundreds of arrests
Legal challenges are underway as state officials contest the president’s authority to deploy federal troops without state consent. The ongoing court battle underscores the constitutional and political tensions surrounding the use of military force in domestic policing
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International Implications
The international community is closely monitoring developments in the United States. The UN’s appeal highlights the global significance of protecting the right to peaceful protest and the dangers of militarized responses to civil unrest. As the situation evolves, the spotlight remains on U.S. authorities to uphold democratic principles and human rights standards amid heightened political and social tensions.
