EU commissioner calls for 'reflection' on policing in France

The European Commissioner for Justice believes that a reflection on policing in France is necessary. The committee today published its fourth report on the rule of law in member countries. Interviewed on the Belgian public radio La Première, Didier Reynders was worried about the unrest shaking the country.

EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders on 14 June 2023 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. © Jean-Francois Badias / AP

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Yellow vests, pension reform, riots... Over the years, the level of violence has been very high in France, notes the European Commissioner. "It sometimes poses a problem with the behaviour of a number of police officers. We see this through the dramatic situations that have occurred and then also through the behaviour of certain people who have the right to demonstrate freely, but not to loot shops, not to destroy businesses, not to destroy public equipment.

Didier Reynders, who relies on the commission's consultations with public authorities and civil society, calls for a rethinking of practices. "There is really a reflection to be had also on how to organize policing. You know that in Brussels, for example, there are probably more than two to three demonstrations a day. There is a way of managing these demonstrations, which are not all violent, fortunately which perhaps involves more prevention, administrative arrests if necessary than direct confrontations.

Law enforcement is not mentioned in the rule of law report

Policing is not covered by this report, however, said the Commissioner, who believes that the issue could be examined in the context of the monitoring of fundamental rights. This fourth report on the rule of law in the 27 EU countries, which examines the functioning of the judiciary, the fight against corruption, pluralism and media freedom as well as the balance of power in each Member State. The report addresses a number of recommendations to each country.

Read alsoFor UN experts, the France must conduct "a comprehensive review" of its policing

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