Scrutiny falls on police gun firing rules amidst chaos engulfing France

French cities face widespread destruction and looting amid violent protests.

French cities are currently experiencing widespread destruction of property and mass looting, with the violence reaching a scale unseen in more than three decades. The unrest was triggered by the police shooting of a 17-year-old teen, known as Nahel, during a traffic stop in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. The officer involved has since been charged with voluntary homicide. However, the apology and pleas for calm from President Emmanuel Macron's government have not been successful in lowering the temperature.

Videos shared on social media depict scenes of rioting and destruction, including the burning of a bus depot and torching of municipal buildings. The violence has reignited long-standing grievances, particularly among residents of the banlieues, or suburbs, who feel they are victims of institutional racism and systemic discrimination, especially by the police. The shooting of Nahel is seen as confirmation of these beliefs.

Critics argue that a 2017 change to French law, which lowered the threshold for police to use their weapons, has contributed to the excessive use of force. The amendment was passed in response to the Charlie Hebdo attack in 2015, which left 17 people dead. The change gave police more leeway in deciding when to use their firearms, particularly if they believed a potential suspect posed a threat to others. However, activists claim that this has led to an increase in shootings, with 13 men, mainly of Black or Arab origin, killed by police at traffic stops in 2022.

Yasser Louati, head of the Committee for Justice and Liberties, argues that the violence is fueled by a lack of political will to address the underlying issues and engage meaningfully with troubled communities. He also highlights the insufficient training of police officers in de-escalation techniques and the lack of clear procedures regarding the use of deadly force.

President Macron, who has relied on the police to maintain order during previous protests, now faces the challenge of containing the anger and restoring order. The government has vowed to examine all options for restoring order, but specific measures have not been outlined.

The situation remains tense, and it is unclear how Macron and his officials will navigate the complicated relationship with the country's police forces and address the deep-rooted issues that have contributed to the current unrest.