Istanbul (ANTARA) - France\u2019s Senate has approved a bill known as\n\u201crioters pay\u201d, which would require participants in demonstrations that\nturn violent to be held responsible for the resulting damage,\nbroadcaster Public S\u00e9nat reported on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The Senate passed the bill in a vote from Tuesday evening into the\nearly hours of Wednesday, with 229 votes in favour and 105 against.<\/p>\n
The bill aims to provide for \u201ccompensation for damage resulting from\nviolence or vandalism in public spaces, as well as the recovery of\nlosses\u201d.<\/p>\n
The proposal was initially introduced in response to riots following\nParis Saint-Germain\u2019s Champions League victory in May. Debate over it\nlater broadened after vandalism and looting during demonstrations on 17\nOctober.<\/p>\n
The bill received broad support from the Senate\u2019s right-wing\nmajority, but was criticised by left-wing groups, who said it threatened\nseveral constitutionally protected principles.<\/p>\n
These include freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and the\nprinciple that punishment must be based on individual\nresponsibility.<\/p>\n
Under the bill, people taking part in demonstrations that turn\nviolent could be held jointly liable for damage even if they were not\ndirectly involved in causing it.<\/p>\n
The state could seek compensation of up to \u20ac10,000 (about US$11,000,\nor around Rp200 million) from each person.<\/p>\n
The government could also seize part of recipients\u2019 family benefits,\nhousing assistance and minimum-income support to cover the damage.<\/p>\n
The Senate also approved an amendment allowing authorities to request\nthe removal of online content that could seriously disrupt public\norder.<\/p>\n
The provision is aimed particularly at content inciting violence,\nvandalism or insurrection.<\/p>\n
Social media platforms would have 24 hours to remove such content or\nface being blocked or removed from the list of available services.<\/p>\n
The Senate also approved tighter security measures, including new\nadministrative bans on demonstrations, additional penalties barring\nforeign nationals from entering France, and harsher sentences.<\/p>\n
Other measures include expanded use of drones for judicial purposes\nand algorithm-based video surveillance, as well as the eviction of\nrioters from social housing.<\/p>\n
The bill will next be considered by the National Assembly. Political\ndivisions in parliament could make its passage into law more\ndifficult.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/french-senate-approves-bill-requiring-protesters-to-pay-for-damage-1793199117", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }