BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 22.The
Parliament of Azerbaijan (Milli Majlis) has expressed concern over
the mass protests, police violence, injuries among minors, and mass
arrests of peaceful demonstrators that took place in France in
September-October 2026.


This was reflected in the statement of the Parliament
of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the mass protests and cases of
human rights violations in France.


The statement notes that the protests, which began in
France over the situation in the education system, the rising cost
of living, and social problems, spread to various cities across the
country on October 17. According to official figures, 550,000
people took part in the demonstrations that day. Riots, arson, and
looting in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and other cities created serious
problems for maintaining public order and ensuring the safety of
citizens.


The Parliament of Azerbaijan expressed particular
concern over reports that minors were being subjected to police
violence. It declared that the use of batons, tear gas, rubber
bullets, and other special equipment against schoolchildren is
unacceptable. Cases in which, as a result of police intervention, a
15-year-old boy in Lens lost a hand and a 17-year-old girl in
Mulhouse lost the sight in one eye were highlighted as grounds for
deep alarm.


The statement notes that protecting the lives and
health of children is a direct obligation of the state, and that
the need to maintain public order cannot justify the use of
disproportionate force against them. It stressed the importance of
an independent and transparent investigation of such incidents.


In the document, arrests during the mass protests
(including those involving minors), restrictions on the freedom of
movement of peaceful demonstrators, and bans on assemblies in
certain cities were assessed as matters of concern from the
standpoint of freedom of assembly. It is reported that around 2,400
people were detained in connection with the events of October 17.
The Parliament of Azerbaijan called on the French authorities to
respect the right of citizens to peaceful protest.


The statement also draws attention to problems related
to the protection of fundamental rights in France’s overseas
territories. It reports that, following the riots, arson, and
attacks on commercial premises that took place in Guadeloupe on the
night of October 17-18, a curfew was imposed in some areas. In
addition, concern was expressed over the state of fundamental
rights of the Kanak population in New Caledonia, manifestations of
discrimination, and the use of excessive force by law enforcement
authorities.


The Azerbaijani Parliament considers that the events
taking place in France are not limited to a mere breach of public
order, but reveal political and governance problems in the country,
as well as difficulties in responding to social discontent and
ensuring the security of citizens. The statement emphasizes that
the French authorities have failed to protect both peaceful
demonstrators from disproportionate police intervention and
citizens and their property from violence during the riots.


Moreover, Azerbaijani Parliament called on the French
authorities to put an end to the use of disproportionate force
against children and peaceful demonstrators, to conduct
comprehensive investigations into incidents that resulted in
serious injuries, to ensure that those responsible are held
accountable, to protect the rights of detainees (especially
minors), and to respect freedom of assembly.


The statement also criticizes the position of the
European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe regarding the events in France, and condemns selective
approaches to human rights issues and double standards.


In addition, the Milli Majlis expressed serious doubts
that cases of police violence and human rights violations in France
would be objectively investigated by national investigative and
judicial bodies. For this reason, international organizations,
primarily the UN Human Rights Council, were called upon to
establish an independent international commission of inquiry.


The Azerbaijani Parliament called on the French Parliament,
international parliamentary organizations, and human rights
institutions to take a firm stance on the recent events, to support
an independent international investigation, and to demand that
France comply with its international human rights obligations.