The French government has ordered police to stop using stun grenades during demonstrations by high school students, Interior Minister announcement made on Wednesday. The directive follows a severe incident in which a 15-year-old boy had his arm amputated up to the elbow after being struck by a grenade fired by law enforcement.
This suspension comes as authorities launch investigations into the conduct of security forces. Since the student-led protests began in mid-September, 18 internal probes have been opened in response to accusations of police brutality.
Hopefully this ban extends to all protests involving minors, not just schools. The precedent set here is crucial for protecting all young citizens.
Finally, some common sense from the Interior Ministry. If stun grenades are this dangerous, they certainly have no place in schools or near teenagers.
Eighteen probes in just a few weeks? That signals a systemic problem, not just a few bad apples. We need independent oversight now.
I was unaware this had happened. Losing a hand is such a devastating consequence for expressing an opinion. Has the police involved been suspended?
This is absolutely tragic. A child should never lose a limb during a school protest. The government’s response was overdue.