A United Nations panel of experts accuses the French police of structural racism. “Excessive use of force” is criticized. The case of the killed 17-year-old must be thoroughly processed.
After the death of 17-year-old Nahel M. during a police check in Nanterre, France, a UN body called on France to take action against racism in security forces. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), made up of 18 independent experts, criticized “excessive use of force by the police” and called for a “thorough and impartial” investigation into the case, which led to days of violent unrest in the country France had led.
The Committee overseeing the implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racism, expressed deep concern on “the continuing practice of racial profiling linked to excessive use of force in law enforcement”. According to the panel, this “often results in recurrent, disproportionate killings with near impunity.”
Reference to Declaration of Human Rights
Specifically, the committee calls for a ban on racist controls. “Clear guidelines” – especially for the police – would have to be developed. In the statement At the same time, the experts complained about “the looting and destruction of private and public property as well as reports of mass arrests and detentions of demonstrators”.
Authorities are recommended to address the structural and systemic causes of racial discrimination. The people of France are also called upon to “exercise human rights peacefully and with due respect” – as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
According to the AFP news agency, almost 3,500 people were taken into police custody during the often violent protests in the greater Paris area and other cities. More than 12,000 vehicles burned out, more than 1,100 buildings and more than 200 police stations were damaged.