Ruptly
"Hundreds rallied outside Perpignan courthouse on Monday, denouncing failures within the judicial system following the murder of a young girl that has shocked the nation. Footage shows protesters chanting such slogans as ‘Justice for our children’ and ‘Protect our children’ as they marched through the city. Many carried signs bearing ‘Stop impunity’ and ‘End of silence’, among others. “When child sex offenders continue to move about freely, even after clear warning signs, the problem is systemic. When the only response is to remove these individuals from their professional positions, the problem is merely displaced. They go on to spread suffering and horror elsewhere,” co-president of Collective for Women’s Rights in Perpignan, Monique Hernandez, stated. Eleven-year-old Lyhanna vanished after leaving school in Fleurance on 29 May, and her body was found in a disused grain silo after a week-long search. The case sparked widespread national outrage when it emerged that the suspect, 41-year-old Jerome Barella, had been the subject of unresolved allegations stretching back to 2017. “We received recommendations from international bodies, and we had parliamentary inquiry commissions. France was condemned by the European Court of Human Rights for its handling of reports of child rape. They knew, and yet what did they do?” one of the protest participants questioned. Protest participant Magalie, who explained that her underage daughter also fell victim to sexual violence, accused the French justice system of failing to hand down sentences that prevent reoffending. “He was found guilty, but he received only an 18-month suspended prison sentence. He remained free throughout that entire period and continued to work,” she stated. “Meanwhile, the victims were left with deep psychological and psychiatric trauma.” Protests in honour of Lyhanna were held in other cities across France, including her hometown Fleurance. Barella currently remains in custody, and has denied the accusations."
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