UN experts condemn excessive police force in French student protests

■ Steady

UN experts condemn excessive police force at French student protests

On Wednesday, UN experts condemned police crackdowns on French student protests, warning that they deter people from exercising their rights. Earlier in the day the Senate approved a bill making protesters financially liable for damage during demonstrations, with penalties of up to €10,000 and possible benefit seizures. Rights groups warn it could undermine the right to protest. Student unions have called for new demonstrations on Saturday, October 31.

• The Senate bill allows penalties of up to €10,000 and possible benefit seizures; rights groups call it anti-democratic.
• On Monday the government promised to phase out an unpopular university admissions system by 2028, and student groups are pushing for more.
• Macron ruled out a state of emergency for now, after nationwide demonstrations on October 17 degenerated into some of the country's worst rioting in years.