Key facts
- France's Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has set a July 14 deadline for prosecutors to review 70,000 child sexual abuse cases.
- The directive follows public backlash over the handling of a schoolgirl's murder, where the suspect had prior allegations.
- The Ministry of Justice believes the review is feasible as cases are already on file and aims to prioritize those involving current minors.
- Critics, including legal professionals and unions, question the feasibility and worry about potential errors due to the tight timeline and lack of extra resources.
- Some suggest the review is a publicity stunt and may not lead to more trials or convictions without significant systemic reform.
France's Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has mandated prosecutors to review approximately 70,000 outstanding child sexual abuse cases by July 14, a move prompted by public outrage following the murder of an 11-year-old girl, Lyhanna. The case highlighted alleged failures by authorities to investigate the suspect, Jérôme Barella, for prior allegations.
Darmanin announced the directive on June 8, setting a tight deadline of slightly over five weeks, which translates to an average of over 2,000 cases per working day. The Ministry of Justice asserts the plan is viable, as it involves reviewing existing files rather than discovering new ones. The primary goals are to create a comprehensive overview of these cases across France and to prioritize those involving children who are still minors.
However, the feasibility of this ambitious target is questioned by many legal professionals and trade unions, who cite France's notoriously slow justice system and a shortage of judges. Critics, such as Ségolène Marquet of the Magistrates' Union, fear the accelerated pace could lead to errors or cases being dismissed prematurely. Lawyers like Jérome Navy and Gwendoline Tenier also expressed skepticism, emphasizing that the review requires additional human and financial resources and may strain other legal processes. They suggest that without substantial reforms or budget increases, the review is unlikely to significantly affect trial numbers or convictions.