Lyhanna case: Sebastian Lecornu meets with ministers on Tuesday to take new legislative measures

The tragic death of Lyhanna, an 11-year-old girl, has sparked widespread public outrage and political debate in France. In response to the incident, Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the National Assembly, criticized proposals put forward by government officials and members of the right-wing parties regarding potential legal measures. During her appearance on the television program *Questions politiques*, she dismissed ideas such as real-life imprisonment, imprescriptibility, and the reintroduction of the death penalty as ineffective solutions to protect children. Her comments underscored the growing frustration among lawmakers and citizens over the perceived inadequacy of current legal frameworks in addressing child protection issues.

Following the tragedy, several governmental actions have been initiated to address concerns raised by the case. On Monday, June 8, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced plans to convene ministers for a meeting focused on enhancing measures related to childhood protection. This move comes after a letter sent to his cabinet, in which he emphasized the need to enrich an existing bill aimed at safeguarding children and accelerate the examination of a cross-party proposal targeting sexual violence. The prime minister described the death of Lyhanna as a "dramatic situation that causes fear," highlighting the urgency of legislative action to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Gérald Darmanin, the Minister of Justice, also weighed in on the issue during an interview with BFMTV. He expressed the belief that pedophiles are "incurable" and argued against their reintegration into society. Darmanin stated that the judicial system's focus should be on depriving these individuals of freedom rather than attempting to rehabilitate them. His remarks reflect a broader debate within French politics about the appropriate balance between punitive measures and rehabilitation when dealing with serious crimes involving minors.

In a separate development, the highest-ranking prosecutor in France, Rémy Heitz, acknowledged the failure of the judicial process surrounding Lyhanna’s case. Speaking on France 2, he called for a comprehensive review of the entire system, emphasizing the necessity of identifying systemic flaws to prevent such tragedies from occurring again. He highlighted areas of concern including the handling of reports, judicial intervention, and investigative services. Despite the emotional impact of the case, Heitz stressed the importance of restoring confidence in the judiciary so that magistrates can work without fear or hesitation.

Public demonstrations have also taken place in various cities across France, reflecting the deep emotional resonance of the tragedy. In Nice, a white banner was laid on the ground where people could write messages of support for Lyhanna’s family and calls for the protection of vulnerable individuals. A human chain formed spontaneously, symbolizing solidarity among attendees, including victims who came together to show their support. Anne Cécile Collet, president of the organization “Petites invincibles,” explained that the initiative was driven by both supporters and victims who wished to stand in unity behind this cause.

In Nantes, local residents gathered outside the judicial court, expressing their concerns about the current state of the system. Discussions centered around the perception that the entire framework responsible for protecting children is failing. These gatherings indicate a collective demand for change and accountability from authorities tasked with ensuring the safety and well-being of minors.

As the political landscape continues to evolve following Lyhanna’s death, further legislative steps are anticipated. The government has signaled its intention to introduce new regulations and expedite the evaluation of proposed laws aimed at combating sexual violence and improving child protection mechanisms. With increased scrutiny on the effectiveness of existing policies, there remains a strong expectation that concrete actions will be taken to address the shortcomings identified in the wake of this tragic event.