The French League of Human Rights (LDH) has requested the suspension of the curfew for minors under 13 in Béziers, arguing that the mayor’s justifications for the curfew are unfounded. The mayor, Robert Ménard, had cited an increasing number of minors out at night and a rise in delinquent acts as reasons for the curfew, but the LDH pointed out that no minors under 13 were involved in the referenced incidents. The LDH argued that the curfew infringes upon the freedom of movement for children in the city’s priority neighborhoods. A similar curfew order in 2014 was overturned by the Council of State in 2018 for lack of justification.
The mayor’s lawyer defended the curfew as a measure to safeguard public safety and ensure the presence of a responsible adult with minors out at night. He emphasized that this was not an infringement on the children’s freedom, but rather an attempt to address parental negligence. The decision on the curfew’s suspension is expected in the coming hours. The Béziers public prosecutor had noted an increase in the number of minors brought before the juvenile court, without specifying the ages of those involved. In France, minors under 13 accounted for only 2% of those involved in assaults in 2023 according to interior ministry data.
The LDH’s legal representative argued that the curfew is unjustified and infringes upon the rights of minors. The LDH highlighted the lack of evidence connecting minors under 13 to nighttime disturbances in the city, emphasizing the need for special circumstances to justify such a restriction. The mayor’s lawyer countered that the curfew aimed to address security concerns and fill gaps left by absent or negligent parents. The decision on the curfew’s suspension is pending, with a focus on balancing public safety with individual freedoms.
The debate over the curfew for minors under 13 in Béziers reflects larger discussions on youth crime and parental responsibility in France. The LDH’s challenge to the curfew underscores concerns about civil liberties and the need for evidence-based policymaking. The mayor’s defenders argue that the curfew is a necessary step to address rising delinquency rates among minors in the city. Both sides await the court’s decision on the suspension of the curfew, which will have implications for the rights of minors and the responsibilities of local authorities in addressing public safety concerns.
The court’s decision on the suspension of the curfew in Béziers will have implications for the rights of minors and the authority of local governments to implement such measures. The balance between public safety and individual freedoms is at the heart of this legal challenge, with arguments centering on evidence-based justifications for restricting the movements of minors. The outcome of this case will shape future debates on youth crime prevention and the role of local authorities in ensuring the safety and well-being of children in French communities. Both supporters and opponents of the curfew await the court’s decision to determine the future of this controversial measure.
