Tens of thousands of demonstrators in France following rape and murder of 11-year-old girl
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated on Saturday in France against sexual violence, following the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in the south-west of the country.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators in France following rape and murder of 11-year-old girl
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated on Saturday in several French cities against sexual violence. The gatherings followed the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in Fleurance, in south-west France.
The young Lyhana disappeared in May. Her body was found in June. The main suspect is a 41-year-old man, the father of one of the victim's classmates. He had already been suspected in two other cases of rape of minors, but in both cases the investigation had been closed or had not resulted in charges.
The child's death provoked strong anger and calls for the resignation of Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin. He refused to resign, whilst apologising for an "immense failure".
According to organisers, 100,000 people took part in the Paris demonstration, described as a "historic mobilisation against sexual violence".
Anne-Cécile Mailfert, president of the Women's Foundation, told news agency AFP that a under-funded judicial system that protects perpetrators at the expense of victims could not be accepted. She emphasised that 94 per cent of rape complaints do not result in any further action, leaving many perpetrators without punishment.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his concern that the failures that emerged in the investigation into the Lyhana case would weaken citizens' confidence in French authorities.
Source: YLE Uutiset