French -speaking journalist association reports the arrest of journalist to the Council of Europe
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The Association of Journalists Professionnels (AJP), the French -speaking counterpart of the Flemish Association of Journalists (VVJ), reported on Wednesday of the arrest of one of its members at the Council of Europe. Complaint will also be submitted to Committee P, the police audit body.
Source: Belga
Today at 3:39 PM
Freelance journalist Thomas Haulotte was making a report last Tuesday about civil disobedience in Brussels. He followed a group of activists who wanted to arrange posters against the extreme right near the European institutions. The group was enclosed by two police combis. Haulotte showed his press card and said he made a report, but was picked up together with five other attendees.
The AJP has now submitted a warning on an online platform of the Council of Europe to protect journalists. The purpose of the platform is to make reports public, so that the Member State concerned, in this case Belgium, takes its responsibility and tackles the problem. The Member State concerned is informed by the Council and invited to formulate an answer. Freedom of the press is protected under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
AJP will also submit a complaint to Committee P.
