After the Lyhanna case: government plans additional measures for the child protection law

Paris – 06/09/2026: The case of eleven-year-old Lyhanna from Gers has caused great outrage in France. The girl became a victim of severe violence, which sparked nationwide protests and calls for stricter measures to protect children. In response, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a review and, if necessary, strengthening of the existing child protection bill.

At the end of May, the government had already submitted a comprehensive bill aimed at improving the safety of children. Among other things, it provides for stricter background checks on persons working in schools, daycare centers, and other childcare facilities, including a mandatory criminal record screening. The goal is to strengthen the prevention of child abuse and make the protection system more effective.

In view of the public pressure for additional protective measures following the Lyhanna case, the government plans to include further regulations in the law. This includes the introduction of an “Ordinance for Child Safety,” which will enable judges and public prosecutors to act quickly and decisively in cases of acute threats. Furthermore, accelerating decisions on the deprivation of parental authority and adoptions should remove children from harmful situations more quickly and provide them with a stable future.

These extensions were discussed during a cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Lecornu. Present were ministers of the Interior, Justice, Health, Education, and Equality. The goal is a broader reform that addresses the current challenges of child protection and sustainably strengthens public trust in the judiciary.

The planned adjustments enjoy broad support from experts and citizens demanding swift and effective measures. At the same time, critics emphasize that the entire protection system must be further reformed to better protect long-term vulnerable children and act preventively.

The government has announced that the revised proposals will soon be submitted to parliament to enable swift approval. A key focus is the urgency of child protection, which is given the highest priority. Delays must be consistently avoided.

In the meantime, authorities are working intensively to continue the investigation into the Lyhanna case and hold those responsible accountable. The broad public expectation is for concrete progress and lasting improvements.

The tragic case of Lyhanna has convincingly demonstrated how important effective protection of children in France is. The planned legislative changes can close crucial gaps in the system and significantly improve the safety of minors in the future.