France has announced a suspension of the use of dispersal grenades by police during student protests. This decision, made by Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, comes amid growing accusations of police brutality during the last two weeks of demonstrations, which have resulted in hundreds of injuries, according to reports.
Nunez informed RTL on Wednesday that the temporary halt on grenade usage is in response to a recent incident in which a 15-year-old boy lost a hand during a protest on Monday in Lens, northern France.
The exact circumstances surrounding the injury have not been confirmed by authorities, particularly whether the teenager picked up the grenade or if it struck him directly. Police reported that as many as 200 protesters threw various objects at officers before riot police intervened.
Nunez stated that the use of grenades would remain suspended “until we know exactly what happened.”
“His life has been taken from him. He is a 15-year-old child; how can children be treated this way?” a woman, believed to be the boy’s mother, expressed, asserting that her son did not attempt to lift the grenade.
Since the protests began, at least 215 students and 85 school staff members have been injured, sparked by chronic teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating school facilities, and extended school hours. Additionally, around 750 police officers have sustained injuries.
Nunez also indicated that 18 internal investigations have been launched within the police force following accusations of brutality during the protests. Among the incidents being investigated is one involving a young protester who lost several teeth and another where a student lost vision in one eye.
He mentioned that investigations are routinely opened in cases of alleged disproportionate force used by police, while insisting that officers are present to protect students. Human rights organizations and unions have repeatedly accused the police of using excessive force.
Protests Persist Across France
This decision to suspend grenade use was made a day after at least 250,000 students, parents, teachers, and union members took to the streets in cities across France, marking the largest protest day to date and prompting President Emmanuel Macron to convene an emergency cabinet meeting.
While most marches proceeded without major incidents, some, including the one in Paris, ended with sporadic vandalism and brief confrontations with riot police. Officers deployed tear gas and made baton charges to disperse protesters.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is set to address the protests on Wednesday, as well as the country’s serious financial situation, which severely limits the government’s ability to respond to protesters’ demands.
Lecornu condemned the violence on Tuesday, stating that it cannot be tolerated while rejecting accusations that the government ordered police repression against protesters.
During the past two weeks, demonstrators have set fire to trash bins outside schools, destroyed bus stops, and hurled various objects at riot police, who have responded with batons, tear gas, and non-lethal ammunition for crowd control.
