France: Authorities must de-escalate tensions during student protests
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.”