Detention of French students sparks debate

In October 2026, high school students in France were detained during recent mobilizations, leading to discussions about how authorities are handling the movement and the treatment of minors involved.

Lawyer raises concerns about policing

Mohamed Jaite, a lawyer and member of the League for Human Rights (LDH), discussed these issues on the LDH podcast Voices and Rights. He expressed concerns about an increasingly authoritarian approach to maintaining order, which he believes leads to confrontation or even provocation.

Criticism of police violence and response

Jaite noted a significant rise in cases of police violence and criticized the immediate focus on security over addressing the students’ demands. He stressed the need to support the movement to push the government toward a favorable response to the students’ concerns.

Focus on minors' treatment and detention conditions

He emphasized that minors should be treated differently due to their age and status, warning about the poor conditions in which they are being detained. The LDH, along with its partners, has filed a complaint with the Contrôle générale des lieux de privation de liberté (CGLPL) to inspect police stations and assess the conditions and reasons for detaining minors.

LDH launches legal and advocacy efforts

The LDH has initiated several campaigns and legal actions, including a petition titled Stop the repression of young people: school is not a battlefield and a legal action to defend the right to gather and demonstrate. A joint communiqué signed by the LDH condemned the violent repression of the student movement.

Public commentary on police conduct

A Tribune by Lucas Lévy-Lajeunesse, published in Libération, stated that while maintaining order is important, it does not justify punishing or taking revenge on angry students.