French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has ordered a review of all complaints involving child victims of sexual violence in France after the death of an 11-year-old girl allegedly killed by a man who had previously been accused of rape and sexual assault of other children but had never been convicted.
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Darmanin has instructed prosecutors to “review all” outstanding complaints involving children by 14 July. This involves some 70,000 cases in France.
He told LCI television Sunday that he was “furious” at the failures in how the main suspect in the death of 11-year-old Lyhanna had been treated in the judicial system.
The man, known as Jerome B, the father of one of Lyhanna’s classmates and the last person seen with her, has been the subject of multiple allegations of sexual assault, including four complaints of alleged rape of minors – none of which were fully investigated.
“I will not be going on holiday,” said Darmanin, nor would any senior magistrate until he has personally met with each public prosecutor to asses the situation.
In an unusual move for a justice minister, Darmanin apologised Friday to Lyhanna’s family on behalf of the judicial system, acknowledging failures in following up on the complaints.
The case has prompted widespread outrage in France over the failures to protect children.
‘Unacceptable lapses’
French President Emmanuel Macron last week condemned what he described as “unacceptable” lapses in the judicial system.
Several feminist and child advocacy organisations have called for demonstrations on Monday evening outside the Justice Ministry and courts across the country.
On Sunday, 6,000 people took part in a March in the girl’s hometown of Fleurance, 80 kilometres outside Toulouse.
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Prosecutors and magistrates have responded cautiously, warning against making the judiciary a scapegoat for broader institutional failures.
The question of resources and staffing is expected to feature in discussions on Monday. While the justice ministry’s budget has increased in recent years, much of it goes to prisons, according to Frederic Chevallier, president of the National conference of public prosecutors.
He pointed to structural issues in the speed at which cases are treated, including the fact that France has around three prosecutors per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to a European average of 12.2.
(with AFP)
