World · Europe · 1 hr ago
French police face scrutiny over force used against minors at school protests
French teenagers protesting the education system have accused police of using excessive force since demonstrations began in mid-September.
In separate incidents, 17-year-old Enzo needed stitches after being hit with a baton, while 14-year-old Eden suffered a broken jaw after a tear-gas grenade struck his face.
A 16-year-old, Mael, has lost sight in her right eye after being hit by a rubber bullet, according to the account.
France’s police watchdog has opened 36 inquiries into alleged misconduct, while the Interior Ministry says nearly 6,900 people have been detained since the protests began, 86 percent of them minors.
Authorities say police force must be proportionate and point to officers injured during the unrest, but lawyers and protesters say the tactics are deepening anger and mistrust.
More than half a million people joined demonstrations over the weekend, and the protests have spread beyond schools into a nationwide movement.
French police are facing scrutiny over force used against minors during protests over the education system.
Al Jazeera reported accounts of teenagers seriously injured by batons, tear gas and a rubber-bullet launcher.
French authorities have defended police actions as necessary and said force must remain proportionate.
The police watchdog has opened 36 inquiries into alleged misconduct, while a separate report put the number of investigations at at least 34.
Le Monde also reported that a newly adopted stun grenade continued to cause serious injuries during protests.
- Who
- French police and high-school protesters, including minors, are at the center of the story.
- What
- Police tactics and alleged excessive force during protests are under scrutiny after teenagers and other demonstrators were injured.
- When
- Protests began in mid-September; incidents and reports cited in the articles span late September through October 2026.
- Where
- France, including Paris and Saint-Ouen-l’Aumone.
- Why
- Students began protesting against an education system they say has failed them; authorities say police force was necessary to respond to violence.
French authorities
Lawyers and protesters
Use of force
French authorities
Authorities have defended police actions as necessary and said force must remain proportionate.
Lawyers and protesters
Lawyers and protesters accused police of using excessive force and escalating tensions rather than de-escalating them.
Purpose of police response
French authorities
Authorities pointed to injuries among law-enforcement personnel during the protests.
Lawyers and protesters
Lawyers and protesters said police actions injured minors and could deepen resentment toward the state.
French high-school students began protesting against the education system.
A 14-year-old boy was injured during a protest dispersal at a vocational high school near Paris, according to Dong-A Ilbo.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said police had received no instructions for restraint and that force had to remain proportionate.
Le Monde reported that 36 GL-304 stun grenades were used at a protest, with at least two causing serious injuries.
A GL-304 stun grenade exploded at the legs of a journalist during protests at Place de la République in Paris.
- Watchdog inquiries
- 36 alleged misconduct inquiries, according to Al Jazeera
- Police custody
- Nearly 6,900 people since protests began; 86 percent were minors, according to Interior Ministry figures cited by Al Jazeera
- GL-304 grenades
- 36 used at a protest on October 13, according to Le Monde
- Eden’s injury
- 14-year-old; jaw broken, according to Al Jazeera and Dong-A Ilbo
- Weekend demonstrations
- More than 500,000 people nationwide; about 100,000 in Paris, according to Al Jazeera
3 sources
What people are saying
They are losing a generation
I am still traumatised. Instead of protecting us, they are attacking us
no instructions for restraint