France has suspended the use of stun grenades during high-school student demonstrations following the serious injury of a 15-year-old boy in the northern city of Lens, where he lost his hand during clashes involving protesters and riot police.
The decision announced on Wednesday comes as a growing student movement over education conditions continues to spread across the country, putting the French government under increasing pressure over both policing and investment in schools.
GOVERNMENT ORDERS TEMPORARY SUSPENSION
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the suspension would remain in place while authorities establish exactly what happened during Monday’s confrontation in Lens.
The circumstances surrounding the teenager’s injury remain disputed. French authorities have said protesters were throwing objects at police before riot officers intervened, while accounts surrounding how the grenade caused the boy’s injury are still being examined.
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15-year-old loses hand during student protest in Northern France
Nuñez said the government needed greater clarity before the devices could again be used during the student demonstrations.
The incident has intensified criticism from rights groups and political opponents, who have questioned whether French police have used excessive force during the unrest.
NATIONWIDE PROTESTS CONTINUE
The Lens incident came amid one of the largest waves of student demonstrations France has experienced in years.
Students, teachers, parents and trade unions have taken to the streets to demand better-funded schools, more teachers, improved facilities and action over overcrowded classrooms and inequalities in education.
More than 266,000 people took part in demonstrations across France on Tuesday, according to government figures, while organisers gave a higher estimate. Protests were reported in several major cities, including Paris.
The demonstrations have not always remained peaceful. Some protesters have clashed with police, while authorities have reported damage to schools and other public property.
The unrest has also resulted in a large number of arrests, most involving minors.
POLICE CONDUCT UNDER INVESTIGATION
The suspension of stun grenades comes as authorities investigate allegations of excessive police force during the protests.
Nuñez said 18 internal investigations had been opened into incidents involving police conduct.
The teenager injured in Lens is among the most serious cases to emerge from the demonstrations. His injury has become a focal point for critics who argue that crowd-control methods used against young protesters require greater scrutiny.
Amnesty International France has called for a permanent prohibition on the use of stun grenades during demonstrations, saying the weapons can cause serious injuries.
At the same time, French officials have defended police officers, arguing that security forces have also faced attacks during confrontations and that officers are required to respond when demonstrations become violent.
GOVERNMENT FACES DIFFICULT BALANCING ACT
The protests present a major challenge for Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s government as it tries to respond to demands for improvements in education while facing tight financial constraints.
The government has promised to consider measures addressing students’ concerns, including problems with school infrastructure and staffing.
