On April 18, 2024, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal marked his hundredth day in office with a focus on “authority,” “respect,” and “civility.” Following the recent murder of 15-year-old Shemseddine, who was brutally attacked outside his school in Viry-Châtillon, Attal visited the traumatized town in the Paris suburbs. Accompanied by several ministers, he called for a “true surge of authority” to combat the violence among some youth. Attal emphasized the need for the Republic to fight back and mobilize the nation to address the issue of violence and reconnect with adolescents.
The death of Shemseddine came shortly after the assault on 13-year-old Samara by three minors outside her school in Montpellier. Another incident took place in Grande-Synthe, where a 22-year-old man was fatally wounded by two 14 and 15-year-old minors in an ambush. Prime Minister Attal described these acts as “barbaric” and highlighted the concerning trend of youth violence. He noted that often, the primary victims of this violence are the young people themselves. These incidents have raised concerns about the increase in violent behavior and the involvement of minors in criminal activities.
Attal expressed his observations that a portion of adolescents are drifting towards isolation, individualism, and even violent behavior. He highlighted that this behavior is exhibited by a minority of teenagers who are not understood by the French population. Attal questioned how society can accept the escalation of violent behavior among young people and noted significant increases in teenagers involved in crimes such as assault, drug trafficking, and armed robberies compared to the general population. He also mentioned the growing influence of Islamist extremism in some cases.
In response to the escalating violence among youth, Attal emphasized the importance of supporting and empowering parents. He noted the need to address issues of parental responsibility and provide resources to help parents guide their children away from violence. Attal stressed the need for a comprehensive approach that involves the community, government, and local authorities in tackling youth violence. He called for a united effort to address the root causes of violent behavior and prevent further tragedies like those that have recently occurred.
Attal’s visit to Viry-Châtillon and his speech on combating youth violence reflects the government’s commitment to addressing this pressing issue. By highlighting the need for authority, respect, and civic engagement, the government aims to mobilize the nation in a collective effort to protect young people and prevent further acts of violence. The incidents of violence involving minors have sparked a national conversation on the challenges facing today’s youth and the need for a coordinated response to ensure their safety and well-being. Prime Minister Attal’s message underscores the urgency of addressing youth violence and creating a safer environment for all young people in France.
