The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) affirms the fundamental obligation of governments to protect democratic rights, civil liberties, and the safety of those who exercise them. The right to protest, freedom of association, and the right to organise are cornerstones of democracy and the rule of law.
The ETUC unequivocally condemns authoritarian practices associated with policies advanced under President Trump’s administration, including the conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), where the excessive and unlawful use of force has been deployed against protesters, migrants, and working-class communities.
When governments resort to repression and militarised policing to silence dissent, they violate fundamental rights and undermine democratic accountability. The ETUC calls on the EU to take up their duty to speak out against oppression and injustice wherever they occur.