Paris – 05.06.2026: The deputy of the left-wing party La France insoumise (LFI), Manuel Bompard, has sharply criticized the French judiciary. The occasion is the case of little Lyhanna, whose disappearance is causing a stir and points to serious deficiencies in the handling of allegations of violence against children. Bompard warned that in the past eight years, more than 70 percent of reports of violence against children have been dismissed without criminal consequences. This high rate indicates a systemic problem in the judiciary that urgently needs to be addressed.
“It is absolutely abnormal that so many cases are dismissed without further prosecution,” emphasizes Bompard. He therefore calls for comprehensive administrative investigations to uncover the deficits and weaknesses in case processing. Only in this way can it be understood why the judiciary often does not effectively intervene to protect children.
In the case of the main suspect in the disappearance of little Lyhanna, the negative consequences of these judicial failures are exemplified, according to Bompard. The deputy from Bouches-du-Rhône not only demands a thorough investigation, but also political measures that go beyond formal reviews. “Political will is needed to fix the existing deficiencies and significantly improve the protection of children,” says Bompard.
He advocates for a reform of procedures in cases of alleged child abuse. This should enable better prevention as well as faster and more comprehensive interventions when suspicions arise. Child protection organizations and social services have long criticized the frequent case dismissals and call for increased oversight of judicial practice.
The Lyhanna case has once again highlighted the urgency of these reforms. Bompard also calls for the establishment of independent oversight bodies to monitor the quality of judicial proceedings. The safety of minors must be the highest priority and may not fall victim to bureaucratic hurdles.
Political pressure on the government is increasing to present concrete steps to improve victim protection and strengthen trust in the judiciary. The Lyhanna case could be a turning point from which important reforms in dealing with violence against children emerge.
This criticism connects to a broad societal debate that, after similar incidents, demands stronger involvement of social services, police, and judiciary. In addition to legislative reform, better training of staff in dealing with child abuse is also seen as necessary. Only through coordinated and consistent action can the protection of the most vulnerable in society be ensured.
Sources
- Franceinfo