France has temporarily banned police from using stun grenades at student-led protests, as stated by Interior Minister Laurent Nunez. This decision follows accusations of police brutality amid several days of demonstrations across the country. The announcement was made on Wednesday, one day after hundreds of thousands of students and supporters rallied to demand increased funding for education and improved conditions in high schools. In response to the protests, President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and other key ministers to address the situation.
Lecornu is expected to make a public address later on Wednesday regarding the protests and the country’s financial situation. Nunez informed radio broadcaster RTL that the use of stun grenades has been suspended during the protests. This follows incidents where a 15-year-old lost a hand after a stun grenade was fired in the northern city of Lens, and a 14-year-old student was injured by a tear gas grenade in Paris, resulting in the loss of several teeth. A police officer has been charged in connection with the latter incident.
Since the protests began, police have initiated 18 internal investigations into allegations of misconduct. Rights groups, students, and parents have accused authorities of employing excessive force against minors. The government has claimed that the protest movement has been infiltrated by outsiders, leading to urban violence.
The Ministry of the Interior reported that 6,100 individuals have been arrested since the protests started last month, with the majority being minors. The Ministry of Justice indicated that over 1,800 individuals are facing prosecution, including 1,483 minors, although specific charges were not detailed.
At least 715 police officers and 215 teenagers have sustained injuries during clashes, according to Lecornu’s office. The protests commenced in late September, with students blocking entrances to numerous high schools due to complaints about poor facilities and teacher shortages, alongside demands for increased educational funding. Parents, teachers, and union workers participated in demonstrations in Paris and other cities on Tuesday, raising concerns about police actions.
Lecornu condemned the violence on Tuesday and asserted that it would not be tolerated, while also denying claims that the government had ordered “police repression” against protesters.