Since the military action by the USA, UK and their allies began in Iraq o­n March 20, a backlash against certain human rights has been witnessed around the world. It includes attacks o­n the rights to freedom of expression and assembly, and excessive use of force by police against anti-war demonstrators.

With the spotlight focused o­n the theatre of war, such abuses of human rights have been largely ignored. Attempts by the authorities to prevent people from holding peaceful public demonstrations; the harassment and arbitrary detention of journalists, lawyers, government opponents and anti-war activists; and the use of "anti-terrorism" legislation have been part of attacks seen in many countries o­n the fundamental right to freedom of expression, assembly and association.

In Belgium, police have placed more than 450 anti-war demonstrators under administrative arrest, a form of 'preventive' detention lasting up to 12 hours.

In Eqypt, hundreds of people associated with the anti-war movement, including lawyers, journalists, MPs, academics and students, have been arrested since March 20 and some have reportedly been tortured. Dozens of anti-war activists were beaten severely and hundreds injured when police used water cannons, clubs and dogs against demonstrators.

In the UK, the Terrorism Act has reportedly been invoked in some areas, granting police special powers to "stop and search" people without reasonable suspicion. As a consequence, dozens of people have been stopped and searched.

In the US, thousands of people demonstrated against the war in cities across the cuontry in March, with many arrests for alleged public order offences. In Chicago more than 500 people were arrested after demonstrators blocked a major city artery o­n March 20. There were allegations that some non-resisting demonstrators were beaten by police.

In Germany, police may have used excessive force against young anti-war protesters during a demonstration in Hamburg o­n 24 March.

In Spain, up to 178 people were reportedly injured, some seriously, as a result of police action during peace rallies in Madrid o­n March 21 and 22. The demonstrations were largely peaceful.

In Sudan, three students were reported to have been killed during several demonstrations in Khartoum, some of which turned violent. The police accepted responsibility for the death o­n March 22 of a 22-year-old student protester.

In Turkey, riot police reportedly beat demonstrators during anti-war protests including in Nusaybin and Adana (close to where US troops have been stationed) and in Istanbul and Ankara. Riot police used excessive force to disperse about 5,000 people who had gathered after Friday prayers o­n March 21 to protest against the war outside the Beyazit mosque in Istanbul. At least four people were detained.

In Yemen, an 11-year-old child and two protesters were shot dead during violent clashes between police and demonstrators in Sana'a o­n March 21 as tens of thousands of people rallied against the war.

Since March 20 and even before that, millions of people around the world have taken to the streets to protest against the war in Iraq. Some demonstrations have turned violent or have involved clashes with the police; others have been peaceful.

In both situations and in many countries, police have reportedly used excessive force against demonstrators. Demonstrators have faced beatings and other forms of assault by security forces, and thousands of protesters worldwide have been arbitrarily arrested. Some of those detained have been ill-treated or tortured.

Amnesty International calls o­n the governments concerned to respect the rights to freedom of expression and assembly; ensure that law enforcement officials act in accordance with international standards, including o­n the use of force, arrest and detention, in the policing of demonstrations.