Police arrest a protester of the "Yellow Vests" during a demonstration in downtown Brussels, Belgium, on Dec. 8, 2018. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)

ISTANBUL, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that the disturbance in France during the "Yellow Vest" protests shows Europe has failed on democracy, human rights and freedom.

"The streets of many European countries, particularly those in Paris, are in turmoil," Erdogan said at an event in Istanbul.

"We are watching the images on the streets with great concern," he added.

"Yellow Vest" protesters confront police near the Arch of Triumph in Paris, France, on Dec. 8, 2018. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)

The Turkish leader stated that Europe's walls of security and welfare are not being shaken by migrants or Muslims, "but by their own citizens."

"Those who provoke hostility against refugees and Islamophobia have been caught in their own trap," he said, adding that he is against both the chaos caused by the protesters and the disproportionate force used against them in France.

The "Yellow Vest" movement began last month in Paris and has expanded to other cities in Europe, including Brussels, Belgium's capital. The protesters are mainly against rising oil prices and living costs.