The United Nations has urged France to address deep-rooted issues of racism within its law enforcement following the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy of Algerian descent.
The teenager, identified as Nahel M, was killed by the police during a traffic stop in a Paris suburb three days ago.
In response to the ongoing riots that have erupted across the country, resulting in widespread destruction of property and violence, President Macron is convening a crisis meeting to address the situation.
The French government is actively exploring various measures to restore calm, including the suspension or restriction of public transportation in major cities such as Paris, Marseille, and Lyon starting from Friday evening.
The authorities have made nearly 900 arrests, while approximately 250 police officers have been injured in the unrest. The turmoil has also extended to the French overseas territory of Réunion located in the Indian Ocean.
The UN’s call to address systemic racism within law enforcement highlights the need for France to confront these underlying issues in order to achieve lasting peace and social harmony.