Paris, January 18, 2026 – Several hundred people gathered in Paris on Sunday to pay tribute to El Hacen Diarra, a 35-year-old Mauritanian man who died in police custody. The gathering, estimated at 300 to 400 participants, observed a minute of silence in his memory. Diarra died in the night between Wednesday and Thursday while in police custody at a Parisian police station. He had been arrested after being seen rolling a joint.
Rally at Migrant Workers’ Hostel
The rally took place at the foot of the migrant workers’ hostel where Diarra resided, and in front of which he was apprehended. The location is just a stone’s throw from the Père-Lachaise cemetery. Ibrahima Diarra, El Hacen’s older brother, stated, “He came to France to seek his bread, now he is gone forever.”
Political Presence and Calls for Justice
Several Parisian left-wing elected officials were present at the event, including LFI candidate for mayor of Paris, Sofia Chikirou. Chikirou called for a “political fight against racism, discrimination, for truth and justice.”
Investigation and Allegations of Police Violence
The public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the “causes of death.” However, Diarra’s family alleges police violence, citing video evidence. Their lawyer, Yassine Bouzrou, has filed a complaint for “voluntary violence resulting in death” and is demanding the appointment of an investigating judge.
Profile of El Hacen Diarra
El Hacen Diarra, who had lived in the hostel for several years, was a Soninké, originally from Baydam, near the border with Mali and Senegal, according to his relatives who spoke to AFP. “He was very calm, kind, smiling, and discreet. A bit in his own world. He was an artist by training, who went out every evening to drink coffee on the low wall” below the hostel, recounted Ladi Sacko, one of his neighbors. Sacko added, “Foreigners living in hostels are not animals; they are workers who left their country to provide for their families, not to be killed. We count on the State to render justice,” denouncing repeated checks at the bottom of the hostel.
Community Outcry Against Repeated Controls
The community’s frustration stems from what they describe as persistent and unwarranted police controls targeting residents of the migrant workers’ hostel. This incident has amplified calls for greater scrutiny of police practices and accountability for alleged abuses. The death of El Hacen Diarra has become a focal point for activists and community leaders demanding an end to discriminatory practices and advocating for the rights of migrant workers.
Impact on Migrant Community
The incident has deeply affected the migrant community in Paris, raising concerns about their safety and treatment by law enforcement. Many residents of the hostel expressed fear and anger, emphasizing their vulnerability and the challenges they face daily. The call for justice for El Hacen Diarra resonates with a broader demand for equitable treatment and respect for human dignity for all residents, regardless of their origin or legal status.
Official Statements and Future Actions
While the public prosecutor’s office continues its investigation, the family’s legal team is pushing for a more thorough and independent inquiry. The presence of political figures at the rally underscores the growing political dimension of this case, with calls for legislative changes and policy reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future. The outcome of the investigation and the legal proceedings will be closely watched by human rights organizations and the public, as it could set a precedent for how cases involving deaths in police custody are handled in France.
The incident has sparked a renewed debate on police conduct, racial profiling, and the rights of individuals in detention. Community leaders are planning further actions, including peaceful demonstrations and legal initiatives, to ensure that El Hacen Diarra’s death does not go unaddressed and that meaningful changes are implemented to protect vulnerable populations.
The family and their legal representatives remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice, hoping that the truth behind El Hacen Diarra’s death will be fully uncovered and that those responsible will be held accountable. This case highlights the ongoing struggle for civil rights and the need for transparency and fairness within the justice system.
Source: franceinfo.fr
