HRW slams French police

france: Human Rights Watch (HRW) has slammed French police for using racial profiling to conduct unwarranted and abusive identity checks on black and Arab young men and boys.

In a 55-page report published on Thursday, French section of HRW warned that unwarranted checks, humiliating pat-downs, and police insults, were damaging the image of the police in the country.

"French police are using overly broad powers to conduct unwarranted and abusive identity checks on black and Arab young men and boys," the report said.

The report cited victims as young as 13 years old who were arbitrarily forced up against walls and manhandled by the police.

French Police however, has rejected the claims saying they only search people based on suspicious activity or information.

Furthermore, HRW alleges there are often no justifications for many searches and identity checks and that there is often verbal abuse and some physical abuse used during the police checks.

"Insulting languages, including racial slurs, are not uncommon, and some stops involve excessive use of force by the police," the report added.

"These arbitrary stops can take place even in the absence of any indication of wrongdoing," it noted.

Many observers say police tactics are damaging the already strained community relations, and may lead to social unrests similar to the widespread riots in French suburbs in 2005, which cost the country hundreds of millions of euros in damages.

Press TV