Amnesty Urges France to Permanently Ban Stun Grenades After Protest Injury
Amnesty International calls for a permanent ban on stun grenades in France after a protest injury.
Why it matters: Why it matters: The call spotlights growing legal and human rights concerns about policing tactics at protests. It could prompt changes in French law enforcement policies and affect how public demonstrations are managed.
- A 15-year-old student lost his hand on October 5, 2026, after handling a police stun grenade during a protest in Lens, France.
- French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez temporarily suspended stun grenade use during high school protests on October 7, 2026.
- Amnesty International demands a permanent ban on all stun grenades in protest policing across France.
- The EF-SON stun grenade produces a 160-decibel blast and has been linked to serious injuries since its introduction in 2025.
On October 5, 2026, a 15-year-old student participating in a protest in Lens, France, suffered a severe injury that resulted in the loss of his hand after coming into contact with an EF-SON stun grenade. These weapons, manufactured by Alsetex and introduced in 2025, emit a powerful 160-decibel explosion designed to incapacitate crowds but have raised significant safety concerns.
In response to the incident, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced a temporary suspension of stun grenade use in policing high school student protests on October 7, 2026.
Amnesty International has publicly demanded that France take stronger action by permanently banning the use of all stun grenades in protest policing. Anne Savinel-Barras, President of Amnesty International France, emphasized that while the temporary suspension is a welcome first step, the inherent risks of these devices necessitate a complete prohibition. She highlighted the grenades' history of causing serious injuries during protests across the country.
Since late September 2026, student-led demonstrations have spread across France, protesting underfunded schools and lack of resources. These protests have led to over 6,500 arrests, predominantly minors, and sparked 18 investigations into alleged police misconduct, launched by the French police oversight body, IGPN.
This high-profile incident and Amnesty's call for reform underscore growing scrutiny over French law enforcement's protest tactics. The debate is now centered on balancing crowd control with human rights and safety concerns amid an escalating wave of youth protests.
By the numbers:
- 15 — Age of the student who lost his hand during a protest on October 5, 2026
- 160 decibels — Blast level emitted by the EF-SON stun grenade
- 6,500+ — People arrested during student protests since late September 2026
- 18 — Investigations into police misconduct initiated by IGPN
What's next: French authorities are expected to review the ongoing investigations into police conduct and respond to Amnesty International’s call for a permanent stun grenade ban.