Politics · France · 1 hr ago
France faces backlash over bill changing rules on police firearms use
France is considering a bill on police use of firearms that would presume officers acted in self-defence when they used weapons on duty.
The proposal was approved by the National Assembly in July and faces a Senate vote.
Under the bill, people bringing complaints would have to overcome that presumption, shifting the burden of proof.
Issam El Khalfaoui opposes the measure after his teenage son Souhail was shot dead by a police officer during a traffic stop in Marseille in 2021.
His family says evidence disappeared; the case was closed in December 2021, then reopened, and a court investigation is ongoing.
Critics fear the law could shield officers from accountability, while a police union representative defended the officer’s actions in Souhail’s case.
El Khalfaoui launched a petition against the bill that received more than 700,000 signatures, and protests against it drew nearly 50,000 people in several French cities.
A proposed French law would presume police officers acted in self-defence when they use firearms in the line of duty, shifting the burden of proof to complainants.
The bill was approved by the National Assembly in July and is due to face a vote in the Senate.
Critics say the measure could increase police impunity, and a petition against it has received more than 700,000 signatures.
Protests against the bill drew nearly 50,000 people in four French cities on September 20.
The debate comes amid scrutiny of police tactics during education protests and a rise in fatal police shootings in France.
- Who
- The French police and gendarmerie, lawmakers, advocacy groups and people opposing the bill.
- What
- A proposed law would presume officers acted in self-defence when using firearms on duty, shifting the burden of proof to complainants.
- When
- The National Assembly approved the bill in July; it is due for a Senate vote.
- Where
- France, with protests held in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse.
- Why
- Critics say the proposal could entrench police impunity.
Critics of the bill
Supporters of the bill
Burden of proof
Critics of the bill
Critics say the presumption of self-defence would be impossible to refute and could entrench impunity.
Supporters of the bill
Not stated.
Police shot and killed Souhail, the teenage son of Issam El Khalfaoui, in Marseille.
The judicial case was closed.
The National Assembly approved the proposed law.
Protests against the bill drew nearly 50,000 people in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse.
A new judge was appointed, and the court investigation remained ongoing.
Al Jazeera reported that the bill was due for a Senate vote.
- Proposed rule
- Police and gendarmes would be presumed to have acted in self-defence when using weapons in the line of duty.
- National Assembly
- Approved the bill in July.
- Petition
- More than 700,000 signatures against the draft law.
- Protests
- Nearly 50,000 people attended demonstrations in four cities on September 20.
- Fatal shootings
- At least 69 people were killed by police or gendarmes in 2024, compared with 49 in 2023 and 50 in 2022.
What people are saying
It will be impossible to refute this presumption of self-defence
In France, there has been a seizure of power by police unions
self-defence beyond any doubt
enables police impunity
Sources
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