France police face investigations over injuries to student protesters

France is entering its fourth week of widespread student protests, with hundreds of high schools blocked nationwide as students demand teacher appointments and school building repairs. The movement has been marked by significant tension between demonstrators and law enforcement.

Lawyers and human rights organizations have raised alarms regarding police conduct, reporting that several teenagers have sustained severe injuries described as being “comparable to combat injuries.” One 15-year-old student, Evan, reportedly lost a hand following the detonation of a police stun grenade in Lens on October 5.

Internal investigations have been opened by the Inspection générale de la police nationale (IGPN) into 36 complaints involving alleged police violence. These allegations include physical force, racial slurs, and sexual assault. In the Paris region, teenagers have testified to being subjected to physical abuse and verbal insults during arrests. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez informed the Senate that authorities are investigating these claims of misconduct.