Key Facts

• A French police officer was charged after firing a tear gas grenade at close range at a 14-year-old student.
• The incident occurred during ongoing high school protests in France demanding better education conditions.
• Amnesty International expressed worry about the use of less-lethal weapons in France, citing serious injuries.
• These weapons include tear gas grenades, which are meant to be less harmful but can still cause severe injuries.
• There have been multiple protests across France involving students, teachers, and unions.
• Some protests have resulted in significant injuries, including a 15-year-old student losing a hand in a police confrontation.
• Calls are growing for banning these less-lethal weapons and for the government to improve handling of protests.
• The protests highlight broader issues around education quality, respect, and working conditions for students and teachers.