The European Court of Human Rights (CEDH) delivered a significant verdict on February 27, 2025, condemning France for its failure to protect the life of Rémi Fraisse, who was killed during police operations against protests surrounding the controversial Sivens dam project. Fraisse, just 21 years old at the time, lost his life due to the explosion of an offensive grenade launched by police on the night of October 25-26, 2014.
The court's ruling pointed out serious inadequacies within the framework governing police conduct, stating clearly, "the level of protection required" to mitigate the risks associated with "the use of force potentially leading to death" had not been adequately provided. The judges noted significant "deficiencies in the legal and administrative framework" and failures during the planning and execution of the operations conducted during the protests.
Patrice Spinosi, the lawyer representing Rémi Fraisse's father, Jean-Pierre, expressed frustration at the prolonged struggle for accountability. "It took more than ten years and the support of the European Court of Human Rights for the responsibility of the French state for the death of Rémi Fraisse to be finally acknowledged. What wasted time!" he told AFP. He emphasized the need for France to reassess its crowd control policies to prevent future incidents.
This ruling not only confirmed the state’s liability for Fraisse’s death but also sparked discussions about the future of police tactics during protests. Araji Alimi, another lawyer for the family, noted the pressing need for the government to take this verdict seriously. "The inappropriate use of force during protests against the Sivens dam is now well established," he stated. "To avoid new condemnations, France must now draw all possible conclusions from this decision and thoroughly revise its law enforcement policies," he added.
On the night Fraisse died, gendarmerie forces reportedly fired over 700 grenades of various types, including 42 offensive grenades, as part of their order to maintain control of the protest zone. This level of militarized police response has raised significant alarm over the potential for excessive force and the lack of proper safeguards to protect civilians during such confrontations. Further complicity has been added to the matter, with indications from the authorities at the time denying any intent to escalate aggression, yet orders for "extreme firmness" were issued.
The CEDH's decision also verified aspects of the inquiry following Fraisse's death. While the court acknowledged the initial investigation lacked independence and effectiveness, they did recognize the quality of subsequent oversight conducted by the Defender of Rights. That investigation included testimonies from officials, including the Prefect and the director of his office, which were not covered by the initial judicial inquiry.
Despite these advancements, the years following Fraisse's death saw no criminal trials for the involved officers—only administrative findings. The absence of legal accountability has prompted considerable outrage among family members and supporters, who have protested against what they perceive as systemic failures within the French judicial and law enforcement systems. Claire Dujardin, representing several family members, lamented, "This never happens. When someone dies, there’s usually a trial."
Fraisse’s case has become emblematic of the tensions arising from environmental protests against state-sanctioned development projects, particularly among those advocating for ecological sustainability. His death ignited widespread demonstrations across France against police violence, generating calls for stricter regulations and oversight concerning the use of force by law enforcement.
Reflecting on this legacy, the CEDH’s ruling resonates strongly with activists pushing for increased accountability and reform within state mechanisms. The court's decision was hailed as both overdue recognition of the state's failure and as endorsement for sustained advocacy against police violence. Lawmakers and citizens alike will be watching closely to see how the French government responds to these findings and what changes will be enacted to prevent future tragedies.