Economist Podcasts No show of force: France’s controversial police-protection bill
Nov 30, 2020
Sophie Batter, Paris bureau chief for The Economist, and Mark Johnson, education correspondent, dive into France's heated protests against a police-protection bill that aims to limit video recordings of police brutality. They dissect the societal unrest and the implications for police accountability. In addition, they discuss the upheaval in global education systems caused by pandemic-related exam shifts and the ongoing issue of livestock theft in South Africa, highlighting technological solutions and their impact on farmers.
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Police Brutality Incident
- Michel Zecler, a Black record producer, was beaten by police officers, allegedly for not wearing a mask.
- He was initially detained for assaulting officers and accused the police of using racial slurs.
Endemic Police Violence
- Police violence is a recurring issue in France, marked by the Gilets Jaunes protests and numerous inquiries into excessive force.
- The UN has raised concerns about French police use of non-lethal weapons.
Controversial Security Bill
- The recent incidents coincide with a controversial security bill, increasing police protections.
- Article 24 of the bill criminalizes sharing police images with "malevolent intent", sparking concerns about shielding brutality.