European Court Condemns France for Violating Right to Life in Rémi Fraisse Case

The court ruled that France failed to ensure adequate safeguards during a 2014 police operation that led to the death of a young environmental activist.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found France guilty of violating the right to life in the 2014 death of Rémi Fraisse during protests against the Sivens dam project.
Rémi Fraisse, a 21-year-old botanist and environmental activist, was killed by the explosion of a police grenade during clashes at the protest site.
The court highlighted deficiencies in France's legal and administrative framework at the time, as well as failures in planning and oversight of the police operation.
The incident led to the eventual suspension and permanent ban of the type of grenade used in the operation, though no criminal charges were brought against the officer involved.
The ruling acknowledges the state's responsibility and orders compensation for Fraisse's family, marking a significant legal milestone for accountability in law enforcement practices.