The Defender of Rights raises concerns over children's rights during student protests, highlighting deplorable detention conditions and excessive force by security forces.
Children's rights concerns raised
The Defender of Rights has raised serious concerns about the treatment of children during recent student protests, especially regarding the poor conditions in detention facilities at the Bobigny judicial court. These concerns follow reports of multiple complaints about how minors were handled by security forces during the demonstrations.Complaints against law enforcement
The Defender of Rights has received 55 complaints related to the current student mobilization, with 21 of them specifically involving minors. These complaints highlight issues with the ethics of security forces, including the use of force and the conditions in which minors were detained.Use of force and procedural violations
Among the complaints, 19 involve the use of force, such as the use of weapons and netting, while 2 relate to the confiscation of protest banners. Three other complaints focus on procedural rights violations and the poor conditions in detention centers. The Defender of Rights emphasizes that any police action must be necessary and proportionate.Confiscation of objects and legal concerns
The Defender of Rights has expressed concern over the lack of clear legal procedures for confiscating items during protests. He calls for clarification of the legal framework to distinguish between judicial and administrative actions, ensuring that such measures do not infringe on individual freedoms.Detention conditions and child justice
The Defender of Rights has voiced strong concern over the scale and conditions of arrests, noting that they raise serious questions. He emphasizes that children require an adapted justice system, as their understanding of rules develops gradually. A strictly punitive approach may hinder their ability to learn and integrate social norms.Law enforcement's administrative role
The Defender of Rights reminds authorities that law enforcement should focus on maintaining public order and protecting individual freedoms, rather than using excessive measures. He is an independent authority created by the French Constitution to protect children's rights, as recognized in the International Convention on the Rights of the Child.
