The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned about the violence associated with student demonstrations in France, calling for actions to remain peaceful and for authorities to use proportional force.
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09/10/2026
by
Lusa
O UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said today to follow with concern the demonstrations of secondary school students in France, asking them to remain peaceful and the proportional use of force by the authorities.
“ We ask everyone to ensure that they [the demonstrations] remain peaceful and that there is no disproportionate use of force by security forces. The right of peaceful assembly must be respected,” said a spokesman for the High Commissioner, Shabia Mantoo, at a press conference in Geneva.
“ We follow with concern the incidents related to student demonstrations and the blockades of secondary schools in France, some of which degenerated into violence. We call on all to ensure that these demonstrations remain peaceful and that there is no disproportionate use by the forces of order,” the spokesman added.
Since the beginning of the mobilization, on 17 September, marked by acts of violence six months from the presidential elections, French secondary school students have demanded better learning conditions, renovation of facilities and elimination of selection through the Parcoursup guidance platform.
The movement gave rise, punctually, to acts of violence (fired buildings and garbage bins, destroyed urban furniture...), considered “unqualified” by the government, and the police response was strongly criticized.
In the demonstrations, the slogans against police violence occupy an almost as important place as the demands on the lack of means.
Faced with the charges, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reacted strongly.
“[Speaking of] political instructions for police repression is a lie that throws desire on the police,” he said on Wednesday at the National Assembly, referring to “accidents that can happen.
A 15-year-old teenager had his hand pulled off by a grenade in Lens on Monday. In Tours (west), a 16-year-old high school student lost sight of an eye during a blockade, with the Public Prosecutor referring “compatible” injuries with a shot from a rubber bullet launcher.
The images of the protests, scattered throughout France, continued to be impressive on Thursday, particularly in Paris, where several tens of thousands of people gathered in Bastille Square were evacuated by security forces early in the evening, using tear gas.
The interunion coalition of students and professionals called demonstrations and strike for next Tuesday, a few days before the start of school holidays.
Today, the French Ministry of Education announced that there are fewer secondary schools affected by student protests in France than on Thursday, but 141 remain closed.
According to the government, the 141 schools affected represent less than 4% of the 3,700 French high schools and is less than 157 closed on Thursday.
Some high schools have their classes suspended for security reasons, while others in Paris and other cities continue with the barricaded gates to prevent the entry of teachers and students.
The so-called ‘blocks’ [blocks] are improvised with garbage cans, rental bicycles, cardboard boxes and other objects, such as abandoned furniture pieces or iron bars.
The protests extended to some universities, but the CRS intervention body eventually acted this morning in front of the University of Assas in the French capital to remove the barricade for alleged “fire risk” on the public road.
After the day of student demonstrations on Thursday, in which 71,500 people participated in France, of which 24,500 in Paris, according to the Ministry of Interior, student and student union organizations called for new protests and strikes for Tuesday, October 13.