France has temporarily suspended police use of stun grenades at high-school demonstrations after a 15-year-old protester lost a hand in Lens, as a fortnight of often-violent protests over education continues.
Key facts
- Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez ordered a temporary halt to police use of stun grenades at high-school demonstrations.
- A 15-year-old lost a hand during a protest in Lens, northern France, on Monday.
- The suspension is in place 'until we know what happened', according to the minister.
- Hundreds have been injured during a fortnight of protests marred by violent clashes.
- Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was due to make a public address after thousands rallied for more education funding.
France is suspending the use of stun grenades by police at high-school demonstrations, the interior minister has said, amid mounting accusations of police brutality during a fortnight of protests marred by often violent clashes that have injured hundreds.
Laurent Nuñez told RTL radio on Wednesday that he had ordered a temporary halt to the use of the grenades “in the context of the high-school students’ movement” after a 15-year-old lost a hand during a protest in Lens, northern France, on Monday, according to the Guardian.
The minister said the use of the grenades had been stopped “until we know what happened”. While announcing the suspension, Nuñez rejected the mounting accusations of police brutality that have accompanied the demonstrations, the Guardian reported.
The protests, which have run for about two weeks, have been marked by clashes between police and demonstrators, with hundreds of people injured during that period, according to the Guardian.
The demonstrations are linked to demands over education, with thousands rallying to call for more funding, Al Jazeera reported. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was due to make a public address following the protests.
The injury of the 15-year-old in Lens has intensified scrutiny of police tactics at the student-led demonstrations, prompting the temporary policy change announced by the interior ministry.
Why it matters
The suspension of a specific crowd-control weapon after a serious injury to a minor highlights ongoing tensions over policing and the use of force at protests in France. With demonstrations continuing and the government under pressure over education funding, the decision could shape how authorities respond to public unrest.
Frequently asked questions
Why did France suspend the use of stun grenades?
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez ordered a temporary halt to the use of stun grenades at high-school demonstrations after a 15-year-old lost a hand during a protest in Lens on Monday, saying the measure would stand 'until we know what happened'.
What are the protests about?
The demonstrations are linked to education, with thousands rallying to demand more funding for schools, according to Al Jazeera. The Guardian notes the fortnight of protests has been marked by often violent clashes.
Has anyone been injured during the protests?
Yes. According to the Guardian, hundreds have been injured during the fortnight of protests, and a 15-year-old lost a hand during a demonstration in Lens, northern France, on Monday.