Thousands marched in Paris and other French cities to oppose a draft law that would create a legal presumption protecting officers who use lethal force. The National Assembly approved the bill in July and it now heads to the Senate. Demonstrators included politicians, human-rights groups and victims' relatives; a petition gathered roughly 730,000 signatures but was dismissed by a parliamentary committee. Supporters say the text prevents automatic suspicion of officers; critics warn it could encourage police violence and curb accountability.
Thousands Across France Protest ‘Licence To Kill’ Policing Bill Ahead Of Senate Vote
Scores of other marches to protest the bill were organised in cities around France this weekend (GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT)
Thousands of people marched in Paris and cities across France on Sunday to protest a proposed law on the legitimate use of force that opponents say would amount to a "licence to kill" for police and gendarmes. The National Assembly approved the bill in July; it now awaits a vote in the Senate.
What the bill proposes
The draft law establishes a legal presumption that any law-enforcement officer who uses force — including firing a weapon — acted lawfully. Supporters say the measure would prevent officers from being automatically suspected or detained while investigations proceed; critics argue it would reverse the burden of proof and encourage impunity for abuses.
Protests in Paris and beyond
Politicians, human-rights organisations and relatives of people killed in police shootings joined the Paris demonstration. Mathilde Panot of the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) party told the crowd:
"The police kill already... In the Republic there can be no organised police impunity. There cannot be a category of citizens who have the right of life or death over other citizens."
Amal Bentousi, whose brother Amine was shot in the back by police in 2012 in Seine-Saint-Denis, called the draft law a "licence to execute" that would effectively reverse the burden of proof in cases of police shootings. Amnesty International, France's magistrates' union and the League of Human Rights also joined the demonstrations.
Similar rallies took place nationwide over the weekend. Police reported around 4,500 demonstrators in Lyon and 3,700 in Toulouse. An online petition on the National Assembly website opposing the bill gathered about 730,000 signatures but was dismissed by a parliamentary law committee in July.
Warnings and isolated clashes
At a Marseille protest, Cedric Picard of Amnesty International warned: "We are afraid police violence would only grow with this law." One high-school student who gave his name as Hugo said: "In a country where police abuse is among the worst, this law risks worsening the situation."
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez urged officers to be "particularly vigilant" during the demonstrations amid fears of clashes. In Rennes local authorities reported eight arrests and said three police officers were injured after projectiles were thrown at officers during protests.
The bill faces heightened scrutiny as it moves to the Senate, with supporters arguing it protects officers from undue suspicion and opponents warning it could erode accountability for lethal force.
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