French Senate Approves Bill Requiring Protesters to Pay for Damage
Istanbul (ANTARA) - France’s Senate has approved a bill known as “rioters pay”, which would require participants in demonstrations that turn violent to be held responsible for the resulting damage, broadcaster Public Sénat reported on Wednesday.
The Senate passed the bill in a vote from Tuesday evening into the early hours of Wednesday, with 229 votes in favour and 105 against.
The bill aims to provide for “compensation for damage resulting from violence or vandalism in public spaces, as well as the recovery of losses”.
The proposal was initially introduced in response to riots following Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory in May. Debate over it later broadened after vandalism and looting during demonstrations on 17 October.
The bill received broad support from the Senate’s right-wing majority, but was criticised by left-wing groups, who said it threatened several constitutionally protected principles.
These include freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and the principle that punishment must be based on individual responsibility.
Under the bill, people taking part in demonstrations that turn violent could be held jointly liable for damage even if they were not directly involved in causing it.
The state could seek compensation of up to €10,000 (about US$11,000, or around Rp200 million) from each person.
The government could also seize part of recipients’ family benefits, housing assistance and minimum-income support to cover the damage.
The Senate also approved an amendment allowing authorities to request the removal of online content that could seriously disrupt public order.
The provision is aimed particularly at content inciting violence, vandalism or insurrection.
Social media platforms would have 24 hours to remove such content or face being blocked or removed from the list of available services.
The Senate also approved tighter security measures, including new administrative bans on demonstrations, additional penalties barring foreign nationals from entering France, and harsher sentences.
Other measures include expanded use of drones for judicial purposes and algorithm-based video surveillance, as well as the eviction of rioters from social housing.
The bill will next be considered by the National Assembly. Political divisions in parliament could make its passage into law more difficult.