UN expresses alarm as French high‑school protests intensify amid rising violence

Published on 09/10/2026 – 16:14 GMT+2

The United Nations (UN) said on Friday it was monitoring protests by high‑school students across France “with concern”, as nationwide demonstrations entered their fifth consecutive day.

“We are monitoring with concern incidents linked to the student protests and high‑school blockades in France, some of which have turned violent,” said Shabia Mantoo, spokesperson for the UN human‑rights agency.

Since mid‑September, nearly 7,000 people – 86 % of them minors – have been placed in police custody, according to France’s Justice Ministry.

The pupils, who are mostly 15‑ to 18‑year‑old, are protesting teacher shortages, overloaded timetables, deteriorating facilities and buildings that are not equipped for higher temperatures.

Although most demonstrations have remained peaceful, a minority of protesters have set fires and damaged bus shelters.

Police have responded with tear‑gas, batons and blast balls, drawing accusations of excessive force from human‑rights groups and the students.

The authorities have opened 18 internal inquiries into alleged police misconduct.

Government pledges action to address student demands

Education Minister Edouard Geffray said late Thursday that about 3,000 substitute teachers would be sent in the coming days to fill vacancies in the 114 high schools most hit by the walk‑outs, in an effort to ease tensions.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has also promised a plan to tackle the crisis by the end of October.

Economy Minister Roland Lescure indicated that the government could meet calls for extra school funding, even with tight constraints on the 2027 budget.

The draft budget currently allocates education the second‑largest increase after defence, raising spending by 1.4 % to €90.9 billion.

Marius Mesnil, a student‑union representative, described the offer as “a few crumbs” and urged another round of protests on Tuesday.

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