Disturbing footage has emerged showing a Belgian police officer kicking a demonstrator during a major farmers' protest in Brussels. The incident, captured on video, has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for an official investigation.
Video Evidence of Police Conduct
The video, which circulated online on Thursday, 18 December 2025, shows a tense scene on a street in the European quarter of Brussels. A police officer in full riot gear is seen approaching a demonstrator who is sitting on the ground. The officer then proceeds to kick the individual. The protester, who was participating in a large-scale demonstration by farmers against EU agricultural policies, appears to be non-aggressive at the moment of the incident.
This visual evidence has become a focal point in the ongoing debate about police tactics during the sometimes volatile protests. Farmers from across Belgium and Europe have been converging on the EU capital to voice their grievances over environmental regulations, trade deals, and falling incomes.
Context of Rising Tensions
The protest on 18 December was part of a significant wave of industrial action by the agricultural sector. Thousands of tractors blocked key roads around European Union institutions, causing major disruption. The farmers' key demands include a rollback of stringent environmental rules under the EU's Green Deal and protection from cheap imports.
While the protests have been largely peaceful, there have been sporadic clashes with law enforcement as police attempt to manage traffic blockades and maintain access to critical buildings. The release of this specific video has amplified concerns about the use of force. Human rights groups and protest organisers have demanded accountability, urging Belgian authorities to identify the officer involved and take disciplinary action.
Reactions and Demands for Accountability
In response to the public outcry, a spokesperson for the Brussels police stated that the incident had been noted and would be examined internally. They emphasised that the police's role is to ensure safety for all during demonstrations, but that any deviation from protocol is taken seriously.
Political figures within Belgium have also weighed in. Some Members of Parliament have called for a transparent and independent review, stressing that the right to peaceful protest must be protected and that police conduct must remain proportionate at all times. The video has also reignited a broader European discussion about how to manage civil dissent amid growing social and economic pressures on key industries.
The farmers' unions, while condemning the violence, have stated that the incident should not detract from the core message of their protest. They continue to call for urgent dialogue with EU policymakers to address the crisis facing the continent's agricultural community. As investigations begin, this event underscores the heightened tensions at the intersection of policy, protest, and policing in modern Europe.
