Baku:The Baku Initiative Group (BIG) has expressed serious concern over the ongoing protests in France, which involve high-school students and young people. The group has noted reports of serious injuries, numerous apprehensions, and the use of potentially harmful crowd-control weapons against the demonstrators.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, the protests, which began in Créteil, have spread nationwide and initially centered around issues related to quality education. Protesters have raised concerns about teacher shortages, deteriorating school infrastructure, overloaded schedules, and dissatisfaction with the higher-education admissions system. These issues have escalated into a broader youth movement involving students, teachers, parents, and trade unions.
By October 8, the French Interior Minister reported over 6,600 apprehensions and injuries to 215 students and 89 education personnel. Among the severe incidents, a 15-year-old student in Lens lost a hand due to a stun grenade explosion during the protests.
The Baku Initiative Group emphasizes the importance of upholding universal principles such as the right to education, freedom of expression, and peaceful assembly. These rights should be respected without selectivity, and children and young people should be protected from unnecessary or disproportionate use of force. The group highlights that access to quality education is crucial for overcoming structural inequalities and building resilient societies.
BIG urges French authorities to ensure that policing of demonstrations adheres to principles of necessity, proportionality, and accountability. They call for the protection of minors’ rights to peaceful expression and assembly, effective investigations into serious injuries, and meaningful dialogue with students, teachers, and their representatives.
France claims to uphold human rights and democratic freedoms as fundamental principles. BIG argues that these principles must be consistently applied domestically, with young protesters being regarded as rights-holders rather than security threats.
The Baku Initiative Group will continue to monitor developments, advocating for dialogue, restraint, and full respect for fundamental rights.