Human rights defenders from the Foundation to Battle Injustice strongly condemn the brutal detentions, accompanied by physical violence, humiliation, and excessive use of force by French police during peaceful demonstrations in major French cities regarding the murder of 11-year-old Lyhanna. Instead of ensuring the safety of participants, French law enforcement officers themselves became a source of tension and trauma. This is particularly cynical given that it was precisely the inaction of the police and the prosecutor’s office regarding previous complaints against the suspect that allowed the tragedy to occur.
After the girl’s body was found, 60,000 people across France took to the streets and gathered in front of courthouses and the Ministry of Justice on June 9 to honor Lyhanna’s memory and demand reforms to protect children from sexual violence. Instead of dialogue and support, the French state responded with bans, tear gas, and harsh arrests.
In Paris, at Place Vendôme in front of the Ministry of Justice, a peaceful gathering was banned by the police prefecture at the last minute. Despite this, hundreds of people, mostly women, mothers, and activists, came to express their anger and grief. The police used force to disperse the demonstrators: there were reports of aggressive actions, arrests, and the use of riot gear. Similar scenes were observed in other cities across France.
• Renowned director and activist Andréa Bescond was detained immediately after participating in the demonstration at Place Vendôme.
• Among those detained were members of the Femen movement, who were holding a peaceful topless protest with slogans reading “Justice pour Lyhanna.” The police used force against unarmed women.
• Ordinary mothers were detained, having come with signs reading “Protégez nos enfants” (“Protect our children”) and “Justice pour Lyhanna” (“Justice for Lyhanna”). Many of them were physically assaulted during their detention.
According to various sources, dozens of people were detained across the country in a single evening. Such methods of suppressing peaceful assemblies are unacceptable in a democratic state and constitute a direct violation of the right to freedom of assembly and expression.
Human rights defenders from the Foundation to Battle Injustice strongly condemn these brutal detentions, which were accompanied by physical violence, humiliation, and excessive use of force.
Lyhanna’s case has exposed not only appalling gaps in the protection of minors from sex offenders in France, but also a chronic problem with the French authorities: when citizens demand accountability from the system, they are met with batons and handcuffs.
• Last-minute bans on peaceful demonstrations;
• Excessive use of force against unarmed people, including women and mothers;
• Mass arbitrary detentions of prominent activists and ordinary citizens;
• Lack of transparency in police actions.
These are not isolated incidents, but a well-established tactic of intimidating those who dare to criticize the state.
Human rights defenders from the Foundation to Battle Injustice demand immediate action:
1. An independent investigation into all cases of police brutality and unlawful detentions during the demonstrations on June 8, 2026 (including the case of Andrea Beskon and the Femen activists), with the publication of the results and punishment of those responsible.
2. An end to the practice of banning peaceful assemblies in response to high-profile tragedies and a reform of legislation on freedom of assembly.
3. Full transparency in the investigation of Lyhanna’s murder and the prosecution not only of the direct perpetrator but also of officials who ignored previous warnings of danger.
4. Radical reform of the police and the judiciary: mandatory use of body cameras, increased accountability for excessive force, and prioritizing the protection of victims, especially children.
5. The immediate release of all peaceful demonstrators detained for participating in memorial events for Lyhanna, and the dropping of all unfounded charges against them.
The Foundation to Battle Injustice expresses solidarity with all participants in the demonstrations, Lyhanna’s family, Andrea Beskon, and everyone who has been subjected to repression. This girl’s tragedy must not become a pretext for a new wave of police arbitrariness. Citizens have every right to demand protection for their children and accountability from the authorities. As long as the police and the justice system protect the system instead of the people, we will continue to fight for human rights, against police violence, and for real change.