Committee Against Torture: Excessive use of force by French police led to civilian deaths

The issue of police violence in France was raised a meeting of the Committee Against Torture of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

As Report informs, the committee's co-rapporteur and expert on France, Jorge Contesse, noted that excessive use of force by French police during traffic regulation and protests in some cases led to serious injuries and even deaths of civilians:

"The law adopted in 2017, which allows police officers to open fire on civilians who may pose a serious threat, has led to an increase in deaths as a result of police intervention."

Members of the delegation representing France stated that in cases of excessive use of force, courts issued appropriate decisions on punishments, including imprisonment.

"In 2021, 350 cases of excessive use of force were recorded," it was noted at the meeting.