UN rights office calls on France to address ‘deep issues’ of racism in policing

Key points:

– The UN rights office (OHCHR) has urged France to confront its history of racism within the police force after protests and riots erupted following the shooting of a teenager of Algerian and Moroccan descent.
– The OHCHR has expressed concern about the disproportionate use of force by French law enforcement against people of African and Arab descent, as well as the frequent targeting and harassment of racial and ethnic minority communities.
– The OHCHR called on France to address the “deep issues” of systemic racism within its police forces, including through training and accountability mechanisms.
– The French government has promised to address these concerns and has launched an investigation into the shooting incident.
– The protests and riots highlight the longstanding racial tensions in France and the need for systemic changes to address racial discrimination and inequality in policing.

Closing paragraph:

The UN rights office’s call for France to address the deep-rooted racism within its police forces is an important step toward acknowledging and rectifying systemic racial discrimination. The recent protests and riots in France demonstrate the urgent need for meaningful changes in policing practices and policies to ensure equal treatment and protection for all individuals, regardless of their race or ethnicity. It is crucial for the French government to take these concerns seriously and initiate comprehensive reforms that promote accountability, fairness, and justice in policing. By addressing these deep issues of racism, France can move towards a more inclusive and equal society for all its citizens.

Original Article: https://www.globalissues.org/news/2023/06/30/34139