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PoliticsFrench National Assembly votes to make crimes against minors imprescriptible
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On July 16, 2026, the French National Assembly voted to extend imprescriptibility—previously reserved for crimes against humanity—to crimes committed against minors. The amendment, proposed by Green MP Arnaud Bonnet, was adopted with 93 votes in favor and 51 against. Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin supported the measure but warned of potential unconstitutionality. The vote occurred during examination of a child protection bill. The proposal follows recommendations from the Independent Commission on Incest and Sexual Violence Against Children (November 2023 report) and builds on previous reforms: in 2018, the statute of limitations for sexual crimes against minors was extended to 30 years after the victim reaches majority, and a 2021 law introduced a 'rolling' prescription principle. The measure is not unanimous, particularly within the judicial community, with some arguing it would disrupt the penal code's severity scale.
Source report
At the National Assembly, Paris, July 15, 2026. JULIEN MUGUET FOR "LE MONDE"
The National Assembly voted on Thursday, July 16, to extend imprescriptibility—previously reserved for crimes against humanity—to crimes committed against minors, during the examination of the bill on child protection.
The amendment, introduced by Green MP Arnaud Bonnet, was adopted with 93 votes in favor and 51 against. It received support from the Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin, who nonetheless warned of a possible unconstitutionality of the measure.
Read also: Imprescriptibility of Crimes Against Minors Supported by Parliamentary Report (Article reserved for subscribers)
Background
The proposal is not new. In its November 2023 report, the Independent Commission on Incest and Sexual Violence Against Children already recommended making rape and sexual assault committed against a minor imprescriptible, deeming the legislative framework insufficiently protective.
In 2018, the statute of limitations for sexual crimes against minors was extended to thirty years after the victim reaches the age of majority. The law of April 21, 2021, subsequently introduced a principle of "rolling" prescription for rape and sexual assault against minors, extending the deadline if a similar offense is committed by the accused during the prescription period.
However, the measure is not unanimous, particularly within the judicial community.
Read also: "Imprescriptibility of Crimes Against Minors Would Disrupt the Penal Code's Severity Scale" (Article reserved for subscribers)
Le Monde with AFP
Source
Politique : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr.Western
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French National Assembly Votes to Make Crimes Against Minors Imprescriptible