UN Experts Warn France Is Criminalising Peaceful Farmer Protests

According to the experts, the French Government’s recent actions raise serious concerns about disproportionate restrictions on the rights to peaceful assembly, association and freedom of expression.

United Nations human rights experts have raised serious concerns over what they describe as a growing crackdown on peaceful farmer-led protests in France, warning that the use of police custody and criminal proceedings risks undermining fundamental democratic freedoms.

In a statement released today, the experts said they were alarmed by the arrest of 52 farmers and agricultural trade union leaders during a peaceful protest in Paris earlier this month, calling it a troubling escalation in the state’s response to dissent.

“We are alarmed by the apparent shift towards criminalising peaceful trade union activities,” the experts said. “Arresting national spokespersons and international peasant leaders for symbolic acts of civil disobedience sends a disturbing signal and threatens the right of peasants to voice grievances without fear of intimidation or reprisals.”

Disproportionate response raises red flags

According to the experts, the French Government’s recent actions raise serious concerns about disproportionate restrictions on the rights to peaceful assembly, association and freedom of expression.

They highlighted a stark contrast in policing tactics. On 7 January, farmers reportedly breached police barricades with tractors, leading to physical confrontations but no arrests. However, during a non-violent protest one week later, authorities carried out mass arrests and initiated criminal proceedings.

On 14 January 2026, police detained 52 people after more than 150 farmers gathered peacefully outside the Ministry of Agriculture. Protesters were calling for changes to government policy on the lumpy skin disease outbreak, the EU–Mercosur trade agreement, and long-standing concerns over inadequate support for small-scale farming.

Those arrested included:

• Three national spokespersons of Confédération Paysanne

• The President of the Chamber of Agriculture of French Guiana

• The General Coordinator of La Via Campesina, a major international peasant movement

The experts also referenced the 9 January arrest of two Confédération Paysanne spokespersons near the Arc de Triomphe, reinforcing concerns about the targeted treatment of specific unions.

Chilling effect on civic participation

“Authorities have an obligation to facilitate peaceful protest, not suppress it through the excessive use of police powers,” the experts said. “The rapid escalation from tolerance to mass arrests — particularly when specific unions are targeted — appears unjustified and discriminatory.”

They warned that criminalising peaceful mobilisation could have a chilling effect on civic participation, particularly among rural communities already under economic and regulatory pressure.

“Farmers are mobilising to protect their livelihoods and demand a voice in decisions that affect their survival, including sanitary measures and international trade agreements,” the experts said. “Rather than silencing them through detention, governments must engage in meaningful and constructive dialogue.”

The UN experts confirmed they are in direct contact with the French Government regarding the allegations and are seeking clarification on the legal basis and proportionality of the police response.

For policymakers, civil society groups and digital rights observers, the situation highlights a broader concern: how democratic states manage protest and dissent in an era of social, economic and climate-driven disruption.