France suspends moral-effect grenades after teenager loses hand

France's Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced on Wednesday (7/10) that he would suspend the use of morally effective grenades by police. The decision comes two days after a 15-year-old student lost his hand when he was hit by one of these grenades during demonstrations at ensino médio schools. The incident occurred in Lens, an industrial commune located in the north of the country.

Nuñez said he will stop using the grenades until it is known exactly what happened to the teenager. The young man protested against precarious conditions and lack of staff in schools. The victim’s mother said her son’s hand was amputated and he did not try to grab the grenade: “His life was stolen. Is he a 15-year-old boy, how can children be treated like that?” he told BFMTV.

Protests end two weeks with hundreds injured

Two weeks of protests marked by often violent clashes that have left hundreds of injured. The minister told parliament that 215 teenagers and 89 school officials had been injured since the protests began, while 761 police officers had also been injured. On Wednesday (7/10), several educational units remain closed in the country.

According to The Guardian, at least 80 university campuses, including the prestigious Sciences Po in Paris, have been blocked in largely peaceful student protests, according to unions. The suspension of the moral-effect grenades is a direct response to the teenager’s case, but it also reflects growing pressure on the government to contain police violence.

Context of the protests and the reaction of the government

The protests began two weeks ago, initially in ensino médio schools, and spread to universities. Students demand better infrastructure conditions and more hiring of employees. The police response has been criticized by human rights organizations, which point to the excessive use of force.

The decision to suspend the moral-effect grenades is seen as a gesture to calm the spirits, but there is still no information on when the measure will be reassessed. The minister did not detail what other disturbance control equipment could be used instead of the grenades. The source did not detail whether the suspension is temporary or definitive.

Impact on schools and universities

On Wednesday, several educational units remain closed, both ensino médio schools and universities. The blockade of university campuses, such as Sciences Po in Paris, indicates that the movimento estudantil has gained strength and adherence from different sectors. Unions classify most university protests as peaceful, in contrast to violent clashes in other localities.

The halting of the grenade strikes may be a first step to reducing tension, but the continuity of the protests will depend on how the government responds to student demands. To date, there has been no announcement of concrete measures to meet the demands for better conditions in schools.

What's next

The case of the teenager who lost his hand reignited the debate over the use of non-lethal weapons by the French police. Human rights organizations are calling for an independent investigation and a definitive ban on moral grenades. The government, in turn, promised to ascertain the facts before making any permanent decision.

Meanwhile, protests continue and the expectation is that further demonstrations will occur in the coming days. The suspension of the grenades is a sign that the government is sensitive to public pressure, but it still does not resolve the root causes of the protests. Follow the updates on the Boca no Trombone portal for more information on the unfolding of this crisis in France.

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