The right to peaceful assembly in Europe is facing severe and systematic challenges as governments increasingly "stigmatize, criminalize, and crack down" on protesters, according to a new report by Amnesty International on Wednesday.

The report highlights a disturbing pattern of repressive laws, excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests, and invasive surveillance tactics across the continent, Anadolu reported.

"Amnesty’s research paints a deeply disturbing picture of a Europe-wide onslaught against the right to protest," said Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International’s secretary-general.

"Across the continent, authorities are vilifying, impeding, deterring, and unlawfully punishing people who peacefully protest," she added.

The report documents a range of abusive practices in 21 European countries, including Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, Serbia, and Switzerland.

These practices include the use of less-lethal weapons by police, resulting in serious injuries such as broken bones, dislocated limbs, and severe head trauma.