France's Debt Trap: Police Fines Push Black Youth into Poverty

French police are using on-the-spot fines to harass Black and Arab youth, trapping them in debt that can reach tens of thousands of euros, a new report says. Human Rights Watch, along with two other groups, released a report today. It says police issue fines for minor offenses like noise, littering, or spitting. The fines target boys and young men perceived as Black, Arab, or North African. The report is called "Paying the Price of Police Harassment." Researchers interviewed 42 young men, parents, and social workers in Paris, Lyon, and Grenoble. They found that many received fines as children, some as young as 13. One 24-year-old man, Djibril, owes €36,000. The state takes most of his €500-600 monthly salary to pay the debt. Others said they skip meals or avoid paying rent to cover fines. Some quit formal jobs or work illegally to escape debt collection. The fines are based on a police officer's opinion, with no court review. Young people say they get fines for actions they did not do, sometimes when they were abroad or in the hospital. France's interior minister, Laurent Nuñez, defended the fines. He called them an "indispensable tool" for public safety. He also said police have stopped using the word "undesirables" in their computer systems. The report calls on France to remove three public disturbance offenses from its criminal code. It also asks the government to cancel all debt from these fines and create independent oversight of police. "Racial profiling in France is pervasive and persistent," said Bénédicte Jeannerod, France director at Human Rights Watch. "French authorities should stop expanding police powers that trap young people in debt that risks ruining their lives."