Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in several French cities on Saturday to protest against sexual violence, the latest manifestation of outrage that has been sparked by the rape and killing of an 11-year-old girl. The body of the girl, named as Lyhanna, was found last month after she went missing on May 29 in the southwestern town of Fleurance.
Background of the Case
The suspect, a 41-year-old father of a school friend of the victim, had twice before been formally accused of raping a child, but investigations had been dropped or had stalled. This has led to widespread outrage and calls for the resignation of Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, who has refused to step down but apologized for what he called a 'huge failure'.
Protests Across France
On Saturday, people marched in Paris shouting slogans such as 'Truth emerges from the mouths of children!' and '160,000 children, what are you doing?' Organizers said 100,000 people were participating in the Paris march and called it a 'historic mobilization against sexual violence'. Marches were held in about 110 cities across France including Dijon in the east and Toulouse in the south.
Calls for Comprehensive Legislation
The organizers, embracing 180 associations, are calling for a comprehensive law rather than 'piecemeal measures and laws' to fight sexual violence on all fronts from prevention to support for victims. Since the Lyhanna case, the coalition has been organizing weekly protests in front of regional courts in the Gers region where she was found murdered and in front of the justice ministry in Paris.
Government Response and Criticism
President Emmanuel Macron has said that he feared for trust in France's institutions over failings in investigating the main suspect in Lyhanna's case. A 2022 government report signalled limited staff and time to properly investigate allegations of child abuse. It found that in 70 percent of cases, after hearing the suspect, investigators did not carry out a further search for material evidence from a phone, camera or computer.
Significance for Bangladesh
The protests in France highlight the global issue of sexual violence and the need for comprehensive legal frameworks to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable. In Bangladesh, similar issues exist, and the international outcry can serve as a catalyst for local advocacy and policy changes to better address sexual violence.
