France slammed at UN over racism, police violence amid protests against new pension law

Several UN nations – including Russia, Venezuela, Iran – raised concern over police violence in France amid protests of new law that raises pension age from 62 to 64

Attacks on migrants, racial profiling and religious intolerance were also raised during the Universal Periodic Review that UN nations must undergo every four years

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Protesters throw a cardboard police van into a fire as they take part in a demonstration on May 1. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:30pm, 1 May 2023

Several nations voiced concern at the United Nations on Monday over police violence, including against protesters, in France, as the country headed into another day of mass demonstrations.

Attacks on migrants, racial profiling and religious intolerance were also raised during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) – which all 193 UN countries must undergo every four years.

France must “take measures to, in a transparent manner, address allegations regarding excessive use of force by police and gendarmerie against protesters during demonstrations”, Sweden’s representative told the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Protesters hold a banner reading “Highschoolers from Marseille united against the reform” as they take part in a demonstration on May 1. Photo: AFP

Other countries raised similar concerns, including Denmark, Liechtenstein and Norway, but also Russia, Venezuela and Iran – three countries that themselves regularly face accusations of police violence and other serious and widespread human rights violations.

“We are concerned about the harsh and sometimes violent measures aimed at dispersing peaceful citizens,” Russia’s representative Kristina Sukacheva, told the council.

The criticism came as France braced for up to 1.5 million protesters to fill its streets to mark the May 1 labour day, even as President Emmanuel Macron tries to steer the country on from a divisive pension law that has sparked anger, pan-bashing and social unrest.

It echoed growing outcry in France of the police for disproportionate use of force in dealing with the crowds, amid the months of protests over the move to raise France’s pension age from 62 to 64.