PARIS, 05 Oct.  (ANA) - French authorities must act upon their human rights obligations and stop the disproportionate police response seen in recent days to student protests, Amnesty International said ahead of tomorrow’s planned nationwide demonstrations.  

 

“As children and young people prepare to take to the streets across France, authorities must ensure their safety and security and protect and facilitate the exercise of their right to demonstrate peacefully. Any policing response must be lawful, necessary and proportionate, and authorities must avoid unnecessary and excessive use of force,” said Anne Savinel-Barras, President of Amnesty International France. 

 

“Footage and testimonies widely reported over the last week raise alarming concerns about the dangerous use of tear gas, batons and restraint techniques by police. Tear gas grenades have been discharged recklessly, and rubber bullets have been fired causing serious injuries. 

 

“Authorities must ensure that any response to demonstrations is necessary and proportionate, and that children and young people peacefully demanding their right to education are protected rather than being beaten, tear-gassed, or arbitrarily detained. The priority should be the de-escalation of tensions and authorities must take all available precautionary measures to avoid the need to use force.” 

 

 

 

 

Since 21 September, high school students across France have taken to the streets demanding that their right to education is met through an increase in teacher numbers, smaller classes and decent school buildings, among other issues. Protests have been met with unnecessary and disproportionate force by police, including the unlawful use of tear gas grenades and rubber bullets. The Ministry of Interior announced that there have been more than 5,000 arrests of protesters and stated that 85 per cent of those arrested have been children. 

 

On 27 October, the Senate will discuss a government bill that would make people participating in a gathering that results in property damage, financially liable for up to €10,000, even if there is no proof that they personally caused, contributed to, or incited the damage. - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/05 October 2026 - -