State of emergency

France to extend Covid state of emergency until July 2022

France — Link

The current state of emergency law in France - allowing the government to impose coronavirus-related restrictions - is set to expire on November 15.

The grim reasons why French police officers have become prime targets for terrorists

France — Investigation

The murder of a policewoman at Rambouillet, south west of Paris, on Friday April 23rd brought to 12 the number of members of the police and security forces who have been killed in terrorist attacks in France since 2015. Overall, attacks targeting police officers have grown in number over that period. This “French exception”  is a phenomenon which has become more prevalent since the collapse of Islamic State's self-styled 'Caliphate' in the Middle East. Matthieu Suc reports.

Private parties, weddings banned during France’s Covid restrictions

France — Link

In addition to curfews in the nine Covid-19 hotspots, nighttime festivities have been banned across France.

Macron defends new anti-terror law as state of emergency ends

France — Link

Anti-terrorism law, which critics say undermines civil liberties, takes effect on Wednesday, in place of state of emergency imposed in November.

French parliament approves sweeping new anti-terrorism legislation

France — Link

The legislation, which inscribes into law tough security measures borrowed from the state of emergency powers introduced after the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks and due to end on November 1st, has been approved by the National Assembly, the lower house, before a final text is agreed with the upper house, the Senate, later this month.

French Senate approves controversial anti-terrorism powers bill

France — Link

Proposed legislation by France's new government to enshrine into regular law certain far-reaching powers allowed under the current state of emergency has passed its first parliamentary test after the Senate approved the bill by a two-thirds majority, meaning it will now go before the lower house, the National Assembly, where the government has a large majority, in October.

Macron uses Versailles speech to pledge end of state of emergency

France — Link

French president used opulent palace to present a roadmap of his five-year presidency to lawmakers from both houses of parliament.

France uses emergency powers against peaceful protests says Amnesty

France — Link

Activists, environmentalists, and labour rights campaigners have been unjustifiably banned from participating in protests, says group.

France renews state of emergency for fifth time

France — Link

French Parliament has voted to extend the legislation until July 15th, after next year's presidential and parliamentary elections.

France plans to extend state of emergency measures into 2017

France — Link

In an interview with the BBC, French Prime minister Manuel Valls has hinted that state of emergency powers, introduced after last year's Paris terrorist attacks, would be prolonged to next spring when the country holds presidential and parliamentary elections.

French parliament votes to extend state of emergency powers

France — Link

The fourth extension of state of emergency, first introduced after the November 13th terrorist attacks in Paris, prolongs the wide-ranging powers until January.

French parliament to debate new extension of state of emergency

France — Link

The fourth polongation of state of emergency likely to last until 2017, giving police sweeping powers for searches and facilitating house arrest orders.

France extends state of emergency to cover Euro 2016 football tournament

France — Link

It is the third time the state of emergency, which will also cover the Tour de France, has been extended since the November 13 attacks on Paris.

The French government’s intolerable snub to democracy

France — Opinion

Democracy belongs to neither the Left nor the Right, and when it is flouted by governments of either political side every democrat worthy of the name must simply say “no”, argues Mediapart editor-in-chief Edwy Plenel following the socialist government’s decision to force through parliament, without a vote, its controversial labour law reforms which, he writes in this op-ed, represent a social regression for every employee in France.

Protests, violence and France's love-hate relationship with the police

France

There have been claims of police brutality during some of the many protests that have taken place in France in recent weeks against labour law reforms. Yet the police have also been applauded by sections of the public for their role in dealing with terrorist attacks over the past year or so. Meanwhile police officers themselves increasingly resent being painted as defenders of unpopular policies such as the employment law proposals. Matthieu Suc reports on the evolving role of the forces of law and order.