STRASBOURG, France. – The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Nils Muiznieks, called this Tuesday the Spanish Minister of Interior, Juan Ignacio Zoido, to investigate allegations against police action in Catalonia.

In a letter released today, Muiznieks proposed to conduct a rapid, independent and effective investigation, which is of vital importance to prevent any escalation of tensions and violence.

According to the Commissioner, he recently received a series of reports on the disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters and people, which offered a passive resistance to the police action in Catalonia.

The politician criticized the use of riot weapons and rubber balls, and expressed the need to purge responsibility for what happened on the referendum day to preserve the confidence of citizens in law enforcement forces.