The French government has temporarily suspended the use of stun grenades during policing operations at student demonstrations following a serious incident in which a 15-year-old student allegedly lost a hand during protests earlier this week.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the decision, saying the suspension would remain in place until authorities are able to establish the facts surrounding Monday’s incident in Lens, where conflicting accounts have emerged from protesters and officials.
The move comes as pressure mounts on the government over allegations that police have used excessive force against students participating in nationwide demonstrations.
The protests, which have spread across France in recent days, are focused on demands for improved school conditions and education-related reforms. Demonstrators have taken to the streets in large numbers, with some rallies leading to clashes between protesters and security forces.
Disruptions continued on Wednesday, with more than 500 schools reported to be either fully or partially closed due to the unrest.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is expected to address the nation regarding the protests and the government’s response during a scheduled evening speech.
Speaking before France’s National Assembly, Education Minister Édouard Geffray said the demonstrations had resulted in significant damage to school infrastructure in some areas.
According to Geffray, 24 schools were either set on fire or vandalised so severely that they will remain closed for several weeks. The closures are expected to affect approximately 30,000 students.
As demonstrations intensified across the country, hundreds of thousands of people reportedly joined rallies on Tuesday. In several cities, police deployed tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds and restore order.
The French Interior Ministry said 488 people were arrested during the latest wave of protests, while 43 members of the security forces were injured.
Human rights groups, student organisations, and some political figures have raised concerns about policing tactics used during the demonstrations, arguing that authorities should exercise restraint when dealing with young protesters.
Meanwhile, government officials have condemned acts of violence, vandalism, and attacks on public property, stressing the need to maintain public order while investigations into the Lens incident continue.
The suspension of stun grenades represents one of the first significant policy responses to criticisms of police conduct since the protests began. Authorities have indicated that a final decision on future use of the devices will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
With protests continuing across the country and hundreds of schools affected, France faces growing pressure to address both the grievances driving the demonstrations and concerns about the methods used to police them.
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