Baku:The Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan has issued a statement expressing deep concern over the ongoing mass protests and human rights violations in France, as reported by the Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, the protests in France, which erupted due to dissatisfaction with the education system, rising living costs, and social issues, have expanded across the country since October 17, 2026. Official reports indicate that approximately 550,000 people participated in demonstrations on that day. The unrest and incidents of looting in cities like Paris, Marseille, and Lyon highlight the challenges faced by Emmanuel Macron’s regime in maintaining public order.
The Milli Majlis has particularly condemned instances of police violence against minors and peaceful protesters. Reports of the use of batons, tear gas, rubber bullets, and other forceful measures against children have raised serious concerns. Notably, a 15-year-old lost an arm in Lanns, and a 17-year-old girl lost sight in one eye in Mulhouse due to police actions. The Azerbaijani Parliament emphasized that while public order is important, it cannot justify such disproportionate force against children and called for an independent investigation into these incidents.
The statement also highlighted the detention of approximately 2,400 people, including minors, during the protests on October 17, raising concerns over the freedom of peaceful assembly. The imposition of curfews and restrictions on movement in various locations, including overseas territories like Guadeloupe and New Caledonia, were noted as indicative of deeper governance issues within France.
The Milli Majlis urged France to prevent the excessive use of force, thoroughly investigate incidents leading to severe injuries, and respect citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly. It criticized international bodies, such as the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, for their perceived inaction and called for an independent international inquiry to address the human rights violations reported during the protests.