Incidents at Palmar Beach – Lindley Couronne: "Incivility must never be trivialized under the pretext of leisure or individual freedoms"

The NGO Human Rights Indian Ocean (Dis-Moi) has expressed its concern following violent incidents that occurred on Sunday, January 25, at the public beach of Palmar, through a press release issued on Thursday, January 29. These events took place during a police intervention aimed at addressing noise disturbances, in accordance with the responsibilities of law enforcement in maintaining public tranquility.

In this regard, the general director of Dis-Moi, Lindley Couronne, stated: "We cannot build a rights-based society without a culture of responsibility. Incivility must never be trivialized under the pretext of leisure or individual freedoms."

According to Dis-Moi, the police faced hostility from a group of about ten individuals, which manifested in violent language, obscene gestures, insults, intimidation, and threats. The organization condemns these serious and unacceptable acts of incivility, which reflect a troubling drift in the use of public spaces.

Beyond the lack of respect towards state agents performing a public service mission, these behaviors constitute offenses and undermine the fundamental values of citizenship, collective responsibility, and respect for institutions. Dis-Moi emphasizes that while access to public spaces and the right to leisure are fundamental rights, they must not be exercised at the expense of the respect for laws and the peace of other citizens.

Dis-Moi calls for a collective awareness and strict adherence to the rules governing social life, which is an essential condition for coexistence and the protection of everyone’s rights.