Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Paris and across France on Sunday to protest a proposed law that critics argue would grant police officers a presumption of legality when they use firearms. Opponents have denounced the legislation as a “licence to kill,” warning it undermines accountability for law enforcement.
The bill, which passed the National Assembly in July, stipulates that any police or gendarmerie official who uses force is assumed to have acted in legitimate self-defense. It now awaits a vote in the Senate, having previously survived a parliamentary committee dismissal of an anti-bill petition that garnered 730,000 signatures.
Prominent figures joined the Paris rally, including Mathilde Panot, a politician from the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party. Speaking to the crowd, Panot stated, “The police kill already,” and urged senators to reject the measure. “In the Republic there can be no organised police impunity,” she said. “In the Republic, there cannot be a category of citizens who have the right of life or death over other citizens.”
Among the marchers was Amal Bentousi, the sister of Amine Bentousi, who was shot in the back by police during a 2012 incident in Seine-Saint-Denis. She characterized the bill as a “licence to execute” designed to reverse the burden of proof in cases involving lethal force.
Organizations such as Amnesty International, France’s magistrates’ union, and the League of Human Rights also participated in the demonstration. In Lyon, police reported 4,500 attendees, while approximately 3,700 protesters gathered in Toulouse. Additional marches were held in cities nationwide over the weekend.
Supporters of the bill argue it is necessary to protect officers from automatic suspicion or detention when they resort to armed force. However, opponents fear the legislation will escalate police violence. Cedric Picard of Amnesty International, speaking at the Marseille protest, warned, “We are afraid police violence would only grow with this law.” Another protester, a high school student named Hugo, added, “In a country where police abuse is among the worst, this law risks worsening the situation.”
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez called for heightened vigilance ahead of the demonstrations. Tensions flared in Rennes, where officials reported three police officers were injured and eight people arrested after projectiles were thrown at officers.
I wonder how many officers have actually been prosecuted prior to this? The statistics suggest impunity already exists.
This presumption of legality is a dangerous step backward. Accountability must never be optional for those wielding state force.