Samuel Le Bihan made a strong impression in the TV movie Tu ne tueras point (Thou Shalt Not Kill in French), recently broadcast on France 2. This legal drama is loosely based on real events. It highlights the tragedy of a mother accused of murdering her autistic and severely disabled daughter. Le Bihan, whose own daughter is autistic, plays the mother’s lawyer, providing a poignant testimony on this reality.
More than just a broadcast, this program is accompanied by a broader reflection. It questions the role of justice, but also how society perceives disability.
However, the comments made by Le Bihan on Léa Salamé‘s show have caused controversy. According to him, “justice is not there to try to condemn, but to try to understand”. Voices quickly rose, like that of Elisa Rojas, an activist for the rights of people with disabilities, who criticizes this discourse which, according to her, “considers the murder of autistic children by their parents” as being “understandable”.
Similarly, Amélie Tsaag Valren, a writer and researcher, denounces a certain media complicity towards a point of view potentially justifying infanticide.
Beyond this controversy, Samuel Le Bihan, recently decorated with the Legion of Honor, primarily wanted to open a dialogue on the place of disability in society, emphasizing the daily challenges faced by families of disabled children. His personal commitment to this project reflects his desire to contribute to a change in attitudes.
The broadcast of Tu ne tueras point coincides with important moments, such as World Autism Awareness Day. This reminds everyone of the urgency of better integrating disabled people into all aspects of life. The controversy raises essential questions about the values and priorities of our society. It encourages collective reflection on empathy, inclusion, and responsibility towards the most vulnerable.