France outraged after 11‑year‑old killed; justice minister under pressure

The murder of Lyhanna, an 11‑year‑old from the southwest, has provoked a nationwide outcry. Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets on Monday, demanding the resignation of Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin for failing to act on a reported sexual‑abuse case.

Jérome Barella, the suspect, was named by the mother of a 10‑year‑old referred to as Rosa, who alleged he had sexually abused her daughter multiple times. Despite a medical confirmation of abuse, Barella was not queried by investigators for nine months after the complaint lodged in August.

Lyhanna’s body was found last Thursday at a farm about 10 km from Fleurance, where she was last reported at the end of a school day six days earlier. Barella, a friend‑father of the victim, was arrested three days after her disappearance but denies any involvement, refusing to answer an investigating judge’s questions.

In the wake of the tragedy, Rosa’s mother has announced a lawsuit against the state and Darmanin. The minister acknowledged the case exposed “shocking and unacceptable failings” in state services but declined to resign.

The Higher Magistrature Council criticised the lack of resources for magistrates, who oversee police investigations. Yet Darmanin maintains that resource deficits were not the problem, stressing the need to prioritise rape allegations and enforce a precautionary principle.

The government has pledged to review 70,000 pending sexual‑abuse complaints and to tighten child‑protection law, allowing life sentences for serial rapists instead of a 20‑year maximum. The public’s fury over the handling of abuse cases remains a major challenge for French authorities.