The police violence at Berlin demonstrations against corona measures have called the UN special rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment on the scene.

The Swiss law professor Nils Melzer wants to ask the federal government for a statement next week, as he told the German press agency on Thursday.

The federal government will then have 60 days to respond.

"Some videos have been circulated that are worrying," said Melzer. "The evidence is strong enough that human rights violations may have been committed." He has already spoken to eyewitnesses. At first glance, there may be a dozen incidents. The UN special rapporteur otherwise has to do with police violence, for example in Hong Kong or Belarus. “Germany is not a big customer for me,” he said.

Melzer refers, for example, to a video in which a police officer grabs a woman by the neck and knocks her to the ground.

“She could have died,” says Melzer.

There was no danger from the woman, but the officer used a technique of self-defense instead of simply preventing an administrative offense.

Other videos show a man who was beaten bloodily even though he was handcuffed to the ground, or someone who was torn from the rear of his bicycle.

"Armored police force may not be the right answer"

At a demonstration with thousands of people who ignored the measures ordered but were not violent, one had to react differently, said Melzer.

“This is a communication problem, not a violence problem.

An armored police force might not be the right answer. "

The German government must take legal action if the police violate the law.

It is also about compensation for victims and preventive measures.

The fact that he is looking will hopefully trigger a rethink, said Melzer.

Increasing police violence is a global trend.

Police forces are becoming increasingly militarized.

Then the police no longer see themselves as friends and helpers.

"That seems to me to be a dangerous escalation spiral."

Despite a ban on large demonstrations, several thousand people marched through the capital on Sunday.

They repeatedly gathered in groups in different parts of the city, and there were several clashes between protesters and police forces.

The police initiated at least 503 preliminary investigations against participants.

In total, the emergency services had to “restrict their freedom or arrest them,” just under 1000 people, it said in a police report on Monday.

More than 60 police officers were injured, some seriously, during operations.

On Wednesday, 350 police officers were on duty to enforce the ban on two demonstrations.

One was planned by a “lateral thinking” group.

The police banned both gatherings on Tuesday.