Messages reported on some Telegram exchanges among leaders of anti-covid law protestors suggested that they should hijack the traditional 10 December torchlight parade by Amnesty International to make their voices heard. Following acts of vandalism and violence, and personal threats to politicians, from scores of protestors last weekend, the Luxembourg arm of the human rights pressure group formally announced on Wednesday afternoon that it would be cancelling this year’s event.

“We bitterly regret that our own right to expression and demonstration is now being restricted by other groups or individuals who have announced that they are using our traditional torchlight march to make their own demands, even though they have plenty of space to do so, or by individuals who are abusing this right to peaceful demonstration to commit violent acts,” said Olivier Pirot, director of Amnesty International Luxembourg. “This is a form of monopolisation of the public space for expression that we can only deeply deplore, regardless of the relevance of their demands.”

Write for Rights

As an alternative, the association is inviting supporters and the public to stand outside with a lit candle on Friday 10 December at 6pm and take pictures of themselves to show their commitment to fundamental rights and freedoms. The pictures will then be shared on social media.

Supporters can also join a Write for Rights campaign to send messages highlighting structural problems and widespread human rights violations. This year, for example, Amnesty is supporting Belarusian teenager Mikita Zalatarou, who was tortured in prison, Mexican women’s rights activist Wendy Galarza, who was shot twice by police, and Guatemalan environmentalist Bernardo Caal Xol, who was wrongly imprisoned.

“We are living in a time of historic challenges, such as the covid-19 pandemic, but also climate change, migration crises and the development of digital technologies with little or no guidance. Challenges that humanity can only overcome in a united and united way. In the face of this, we must commit ourselves together to a more just world,” said Pirot.

In addition, as reported in L’essentiel, the Rise for Climate movement, which had planned a protest on Saturday in the Gare district, was invited by the city council to cancel the gathering. But after a discussion with the organisers, the authorities have accepted an alternative route.

A suspension or an offer for a different route could be put forward to the organisers of two other rallies aimed at protesting against the government's health measures, including the silent Marche Blanche planned for Sunday.