France: United Nations human rights experts have raised concerns over the excessive use of force by French authorities in dispersing nationwide student protests, warning that mass arrests and injuries among young demonstrators could undermine fundamental freedoms.
In a statement issued, four experts mandated by the UN Human Rights Council stated that the arrests and detentions of several thousand people, many of them minors, appeared disproportionate and risked discouraging the exercise of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The experts included Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and Farida Shaheed, the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights.
Student protests have continued across France since mid-September, initially driven by concerns over deteriorating school facilities, overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages. The demonstrations have since expanded into broader nationwide protests against the rising cost of living and government policies, with incidents of rioting and looting reported alongside some gatherings.
According to France’s Interior Ministry, authorities deployed 70,000 security personnel and arrested around 1,000 people during demonstrations on Saturday, which attracted approximately 410,000 protesters nationwide. The previous week, public buildings were vandalised, hundreds of businesses were looted and around 2,700 people were arrested as unrest intensified.
The UN experts acknowledged that French authorities had introduced initiatives in October to encourage dialogue and address students’ concerns. However, they warned that the government’s security-focused response had overshadowed the underlying social and economic issues driving the demonstrations.
The handling of the protests has also drawn criticism following reports of serious injuries among young demonstrators. In the northern city of Lille, a teenager reportedly lost a hand after a grenade exploded during clashes between school protesters and police.
Describing such incidents as unacceptable, the UN experts stressed that serious and potentially irreversible injuries sustained by minors during law enforcement operations could not be justified. They also reiterated calls for French authorities to conduct a comprehensive review of policing strategies and practices to ensure that people can express their concerns peacefully.
The protests have unfolded with growing frustration over the cost of living, public services and planned budget cuts. Analysts have pointed to France’s fiscal difficulties and reductions in education spending as factors complicating the government’s response to student demands.
The UN experts remarked that they remained in contact with French authorities regarding the situation, emphasising the need to protect fundamental freedoms and facilitate peaceful resolutions to social conflicts.
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