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France's rights ombudsman wants flashball gun ban on protests

French human rights ombudsman Jacques Toubon has called for a ban on police using flashball guns during demonstrations. Several demonstrators have sustained injuries from the weapons, which are supposed to be used for self-defence..

A policeman faces young protestors from banlieues (suburbs) with his flash-ball gun, during a demonstration in Nanterre.
A policeman faces young protestors from banlieues (suburbs) with his flash-ball gun, during a demonstration in Nanterre. AFP / BERTRAND GUAY
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"Flashball guns are not well-adapted to maintaining public order," Toubon said in an 18-page report published Tuesday.

The arm has been widely criticised for its lack of accuracy and the severity of wounds it can inflict.

The debate over the guns' use recently flared up after a police officer injured a 14-year-old, inflicting an injury to his testicles.

In 2013-2014 Toubon was called upon to exaqmine seven cases in which serious injuries or permanent infirmities were allegedly sustained thanks to the use flashball guns, which have been used against protesters for several years.

Although Toubon praised the interior ministry's efforts for transparency in these cases, he noted that the new report demonstrates a lack of enforcement of an October 2014 agreement to curtail use of these arms.

Toubon also suggested that Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve reconsider his decision to allow police to use of Tasers without video or sound recording, a move the rights ombudsman recommended because two deaths from use of Tasers since 2013.

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