A human rights group and a major trade union went to France’s top administrative court on Wednesday seeking a ban on riot police using…
A human rights group and a major trade union went to France’s top administrative court on Wednesday seeking a ban on riot police using rubber bullets, which are blamed for injuring dozens of “yellow vest” protesters.
The police have drawn fire over their repeated use of rubber bullets to restore order during two months of anti-government protests, which have repeatedly ended in rioting.
Dozens of people have been seriously injured in clashes with police, with protesters, rights groups and French media blaming some of the more serious injuries, including blinding, on the 40-mm (1.6-inch) rubber projectiles.
The Human Rights League and the left-wing CGT union lodged a case at the Council of State, the country’s highest administrative court, after failing with a petition earlier this month in a lower administrative court.
Rubber bullets are prohibited for use in riot control in most western European countries.
The Desarmons-Les (Disarm Them) collective, which campaigns against police violence, claims 20 protesters have lost an eye.
Its website shows pictures of 13 people with eye injuries.
