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After Protests, France Moves to Amend Security Law Text

Nicolas Pinault

   PARIS - For weeks, NGOs'¯including'¯the press freedom
   group'¯Reporters'¯Without Borders, have'¯expressed concerns over
   the'¯draft bill,'¯especially its Article 24, which'¯would make it a
   criminal'¯offense'¯for anyone to disseminate images that'¯-- according
   to the text --'¯might "harm the physical or mental'¯integrity" of
   police officers.'¯

   Those'¯found guilty could be punished by a year in prison or a fine of
   up to $53,000.'¯

   Lawmakers from President Emmanuel Macron's ruling party said Monday
   they would propose a "complete rewrite" of part of a draft law that
   would restrict the filming of police. The announcement came from
   majority leader Christophe Castaner, to reporters.

   Castaner said the majority failed to convince the public opinion that
   this text was not against the freedom of press, the right to inform and
   the legitimate control of police force. Therefore, a complete rewrite,
   the lawmaker said, is necessary.

   In a rare rebuke, even the European Commission'¯declared last
   week'¯that news media must be able to work freely.'¯'¯

   Opposition lawmakers welcome the announcement of the rewrite but demand
   further actions and the complete withdrawal of the so-called Global
   Security bill.

   Adrien Quatennens, an extreme-left MP from Northern France, explained
   that President Macron's ruling majority did not understand the people's
   will and the issue remains with the entire bill, not only its article
   24 '¯

   The'¯French Senate will'¯vote on'¯the'¯Global'¯Security'¯bill'¯in
   January and the government'¯says it will ask France's'¯high court'¯to
   review'¯ -- and possibly strike down'¯-- '¯the bill.'¯'¯

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