France must address deep issues of racial discrimination in its police, the United Nations said on Friday, June 30, after a third night of unrest sparked by the fatal police shooting of a teenager. The death of 17-year-old Nahel during a traffic stop has revived longstanding grievances about policing and racial profiling in France’s low-income and multiethnic suburbs.
“We are concerned by the killing of a 17-year-old of North African descent by police in France on Tuesday,” UN human rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a media briefing in Geneva. “We note that an investigation has been launched into alleged voluntary homicide. This is a moment for the country to seriously address the deep issues of racism and discrimination in law enforcement.” French President Emmanuel Macron was to lead a crisis meeting of ministers on Friday, June 30, after a third night of protests saw cars torched, shops ransacked and hundreds arrested.
“We also emphasise the importance of peaceful assembly,” Shamdasani said. “We call on the authorities to ensure use of force by police to address violent elements in demonstrations always respects the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, non-discrimination, precaution and accountability.”
“Any allegations of disproportionate use of force must be swiftly investigated.”
The French government said it rejected UN accusations of racism among its police. “Any accusation of racism or systemic discrimination in the police force in France is totally unfounded,” the Foreign Ministry said.
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