France is using excessive force against teenagers protesting for better learning conditions in their high schools, Amnesty International said in a press release.
“The images of high school students being subjected to violence by law enforcement are extremely concerning. Many of them are minors, children. They must be protected, not beaten with batons,” Amnesty wrote on X on Thursday.
The group also voiced concern over the high number of arrests — more than 3,000 in three days, many of them minors — while acknowledging that some protesters had also engaged in violence, which it described as “unacceptable.”
“But even in these situations, including during arrests, the use of force must remain proportionate,” Amnesty said, calling on authorities to prioritise dialogue and de-escalation rather than the use of weapons.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray told BFMTV that 1,207 high schools were disrupted or blocked at some point during the student movement, which is calling for more teachers, better equipment, and school renovations.