French Mayor Reintroduces Curfew for Children Under 13 in Béziers

Robert Ménard, the mayor of Béziers, France, has issued a municipal decree establishing a curfew for children under 13 years old in certain districts of the city. The curfew, which went into effect on Monday, April 22, 2024, will last until September 30 and be enforced from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The measure aims to address concerns about increased delinquency and violence among minors in Béziers. During the curfew hours, the municipal police have been ordered to take any unaccompanied children under 13 to the police station, where parents will have to come and pick them up. Parents also risk criminal prosecution for allowing their children to violate the curfew.

Why this matters: The reintroduction of the curfew in Béziers highlights the ongoing debate about the effectiveness and legality of such measures in addressing juvenile delinquency. The decision by Mayor Ménard is likely to reignite discussions about the balance between ensuring public safety and protecting the rights of minors.

This is not the first time Ménard has attempted to implement a curfew for minors. In 2014, the Human Rights League challenged a similar decree issued by the mayor, and the Council of State ruled against the city, stating that it had not provided sufficient evidence to justify the curfew.

Despite the previous legal setback, Ménard is relaunching the measure, citing the need for a 'common sense' approach to ensure the safety and protection of children in Béziers. The mayor's decision has sparked debate about the effectiveness of curfews in reducing juvenile crime and the potential impact on the rights and freedoms of young people in the city.

Key Takeaways

• Mayor of Béziers, France, imposes curfew for children under 13 from 11 PM to 6 AM.
• Curfew aims to address increased delinquency and violence among minors in the city.
• Previous similar curfew decree was ruled against by the Council of State in 2014.
• Mayor cites need for 'common sense' approach to ensure safety and protection of children.
• Curfew sparks debate on effectiveness in reducing juvenile crime and impact on youth rights.