The UN on Friday expressed concern on the fatal police shooting a teenager in France, urging the country to address issues of racial discrimination in its law enforcement agencies.
“This is a moment for the country to seriously address the deep issues of racism and discrimination in law enforcement,” Ravina Shamdasani, the spokeswoman for the UN human rights office, told a media briefing in Geneva.
The victim, 17-year-old Nahel M., who according to the UN was of North African descent, was shot dead by police on Tuesday during a traffic stop in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. The prosecutors say the officer who killed the teenager has been charged with voluntary homicide and placed in pre-trial detention.
Emphasizing the importance of peaceful assembly, Shamdasani called on the authorities to ensure that use of force by police "always respects the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, non-discrimination, precaution and accountability."
“Any allegations of disproportionate use of force must be swiftly investigated,” she added.
French President Emmanuel Macron is set to chair an inter-ministerial crisis meeting as the government struggles to restore law and order after a third night of protests.
