French MPs Reject Life Imprisonment for Serial Rapes of Minors, Amend Child Protection Bill
During the first reading of the 'child protection' bill in the French National Assembly (July 15-17, 2026), deputies rejected a government-backed measure (Article 11) to establish life imprisonment for serial rapes of minors under 15. The rejection followed heated debates, with left-wing lawmakers criticizing the measure as purely repressive. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin requested a new vote on the article, scheduled for July 21, just before the solemn vote on the entire text. Separately, deputies approved an amendment by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu requiring that within three months, a set of investigative acts be carried out in cases of violence against minors, addressing judicial flaws exposed by the death of an 11-year-old middle school student (Lyhanna). The bill aims to strengthen child protection measures.
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