Investigation Launched After Femicides of Inès Mecellem Spotlight Justice System Failures

Gérald Darmanin, the resigning Minister of Justice, announced on September 21 the initiation of an investigation following the femicide of Inès Mecellem, who was brutally murdered on September 8 by her ex-partner in Poitiers. Despite having filed six complaints against him and activating a danger alert system just two days prior to her death, Inès did not receive adequate protection from the justice system.

Darmanin's statements reflected outrage over the failure to safeguard Inès, a 25-year-old victim whose ex-partner, an Afghan refugee born in 1989, is currently wanted for murder. "Toute la lumière doit être faite sur cette horrible affaire," he stated, emphasizing the need for comprehensive accountability regarding the case. His call for intervention from the Inspection générale de la justice aims to investigate how such alarming warnings were disregarded, underscoring a critical failure in protecting victims of domestic violence.

Inès had expressed her fears multiple times through the alert system, which is designed to protect individuals facing threats, indicating the troubling lapses within the justice framework. The Minister cautioned, "Les victimes doivent être au centre des préoccupations de la justice," highlighting that without appropriate responses, the system inadequately supports those in peril.

Statistics indicate that in 2023, France recorded 96 women killed in domestic violence incidents, marking a 19% decline compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of the Interior. However, the stark reality of Inès's case serves as a painful reminder of the ongoing issues within the justice system affecting the safety of women.

This investigation not only seeks to clarify the circumstances surrounding Inès's death but also aims to reassess protocols related to protection for individuals at risk of domestic violence.