French police face accusations of severe injuries and misconduct during student protests
Human-rights groups and lawyers say French police used crowd-control weapons that caused war-like injuries to teenagers during school demonstrations, while dozens of minors have been detained.
France is experiencing its longest series of student demonstrations in recent history, with hundreds of high schools closed as pupils protest staffing shortages and dilapidated facilities. Reports from lawyers and human-rights organisations describe the use of flash-bang grenades and explosive projectiles that have caused injuries comparable to combat wounds, including the loss of a hand, multiple finger amputations, severe facial fractures and loss of vision in several teenagers.
The interior ministry’s deputy minister has said internal investigations are under way into 36 allegations of police violence, among them four cases of alleged amputations and six cases of serious injury. Since the protests began in mid-September, more than 6,000 individuals under 18 have been placed in police detention, with many not formally charged and some offered alternative educational programmes. Accusations also include verbal abuse, racist slurs and alleged sexual harassment during arrests, prompting families to file lawsuits for attempted homicide and other offences.
Why it matters
The allegations raise serious concerns about police tactics, minors' rights and the handling of large-scale protests in France.
How this story developed
- Oct 1 France sees nearly two thousand arrests as school protests turn violent
- Oct 7 President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency meeting with senior ministers to discuss the school protests.
- Oct 7 France suspended the use of stun grenades against student protesters.
- Oct 7 Cumulative detentions rose above 6,100 and 488 people were arrested during the latest day of clashes.
- Oct 8 The interior ministry announced a temporary ban on stun grenades following injuries to teenagers.
- Oct 8 Teenagers continue to block high schools across France, demanding action on teacher shortages and crumbling facilities, while the government promises quick, funded solutions without detailing them.
- Oct 8 Large student and teacher marches gathered in Marseille and Lyon, while dozens of lycées in Île-de-France faced disruptions and police actions.
- Oct 8 Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a platform for student demands.
- Oct 9 Bagayoko returned after being extracted to thank the youths who accompanied him.
- Oct 9 The minister announced an emergency plan to send substitute teachers to affected schools.
- Oct 9 Mayor Demeyer introduced the gathering ban.
- Oct 9 The government pledged to allocate about 3,000 fully qualified teachers to address staffing gaps.
- Oct 12 Since the initial coverage, the protests have expanded beyond students to include civil servants, farmers and logistics workers.
- Oct 13 Police made about 500 arrests during Thursday's nationwide protest.
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