Ongoing student protests in France have led to significant controversy regarding the methods used by police to maintain order. According to the French interior ministry, the national police watchdog, known as the IGPN, has opened 24 separate investigations into incidents involving students during these demonstrations. These inquiries come amid reports of severe injuries sustained by participants during clashes with security forces.

The use of force has prompted renewed criticism from human rights organizations and United Nations experts, who have long advocated for the prohibition of rubber bullets and other launcher-fired riot-control weapons. Critics argue that these tools are inherently dangerous and represent an excessive response to student-led movements. While the government has acknowledged the investigations, the debate remains polarized between those who prioritize public order and those who believe the current police tactics pose an unacceptable risk to the safety of protesters. There is currently no consensus on whether these weapons should be permanently banned, though the volume of investigations suggests a growing pressure on the state to re-evaluate its crowd control policies.