Global security law

{{Short description|French law proposal}} {{Infobox legislation | short_title = Loi relative à la sécurité globale | territorial_extent = France | bill_date = 20 October 2020 | introduced_by = Jean Castex | enacted_by = National Assembly | enacted_by2 = Senate | 1st_reading = {{nowrap|4 November 2020 –}} {{nowrap|24 November 2020}} | 1st_reading2 = {{nowrap|3 March 2020 –}} {{nowrap|18 March 2021}} | 2nd_reading = 15 April 2021 | 2nd_reading2 = | bill_citation = [https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/eli/loi/2021/5/25/INTX2028939L/jo/texte JORF n° 0120 du 26 mai 2021] {{in lang|fr}} | status = in force }}

The '''global security law''' is a French legislative text promulgated on 25 May 2021. It is intended to * grant municipal police departments more autonomy,<ref name="lcp"/> * permit police live-feed access to body cameras as worn by policemen, as well as footage from drones,<ref name="nextinpact"/><ref name="aa2103"/> and * protect members of the police force<ref name="dw201130"/> (and their relatives) from off-duty attacks by allowing them to bear their service weapon even off-duty,<ref name="aa2103"/> as well as by restricting naming and photography of policemen (and their relatives). The last point is primarily regulated in the law's Article 24 giving the bill the nickname '''Article 24''' in public discourse.

== Summary == The bill is structured by 7 titles. The law's articles are enumerated from 1 to 32, some of which are further subdivided by letters. The bill mostly amends other laws, such as the {{lang|fr|Code pénal}}. Many provisions are made “on an experimental basis” implying that not all of them are rolled out nationwide in order to keep a control group for comparison.

=== Municipal police === Articles 1 to 6 outline and grant municipal police full judicial policing authority if the municipality employs more than 15 policemen. This is supposed to speed up processes. Previously, all crimes had to be reported to the national police first.<ref name="lrem"/>

=== Private security companies === Articles 7 to 19d concern private security companies. Private security guards have to fulfill more qualifications in order to do their job.<ref name="lrem"/>

=== Video surveillance === The articles 20 through 21 provide a common set of provisions for remote access to body cameras, police cameras and street CCTV monitoring systems.<ref name="pp"/> Articles 22 through 22b authorize police to deploy police drones for monitoring.<ref name="fox2012"/><ref name="pp"/>

The use of mobile cameras was allowed since 2016, but previously access to recordings required a warranted reason, such as investigating an incident.<ref name="lqdn2011"/> Deployment of UAVs did not have any legal basis at all,<ref name="lrem"/> but nevertheless were recently used more often.<ref name="lqdn2011"/>

=== Law enforcement === Article 24 makes it illegal to photograph law enforcement officers with the intention of “threatening [their] physical or psychological integrity.”<ref name="ai2103"/><ref name="euronews"/>

=== Transportation === Articles 28 through 29b introduce more video surveillance options in public transit and on roads.

=== Miscellaneous === Articles 30 to 30c contain miscellaneous.

=== Overseas adjustments === Special provisions were made for France's overseas territories in articles 31 to 31d.

== Response ==

The law is backed by the governing party. Law enforcement officers were increasingly facing harassment, in particular via online social media.<ref name="upi"/><ref name="lrem"/> The police unions {{lang|fr|UNSA}}<ref name="unsa"/> and {{lang|fr|Alliance Police nationale}}<ref name="apn2011"/> support the bill. The latter, the APN, claims the safety of law enforcement members was closely related to France's security and demands even more extensive measures.<ref name="apn2011"/>

However, since its proposal, the law was protested by over 100,000 citizens,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200403221918/https://carnegieendowment.org/publications/interactive/protest-tracker Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]</ref> {{Commons category|Manifestations contre la proposition de loi relative à la sécurité globale|Protests against the Global Security Bill}} and has been met with criticism and protests by journalist<ref name="dw201121"/> and civil rights organizations. In order to coordinate efforts, on 8 November 2020, many organizations united in the collective {{lang|fr|Stop Loi Sécurité Globale}}.<ref name="slsg"/> Amnesty International,<ref name="ai2103"/> CNCDH,<ref name="cncdh-opinion"/> Quadrature du net,<ref name="lqdn2011"/> and the UNHCR<ref name="dw201121"/><ref name="euronews"/> see civil liberties under attack.<ref name="pp"/> Public outcry has been mainly over increased surveillance (Articles 21 and 22) and the potential criminalization of journalists reporting on police actions<ref name="rsf2102"/> and by-standers who simply choose to film police without any malicious intent.<ref name="euronews"/><ref name="cnn201124"/> Fewer documentation would thus decrease police accountability.<ref name="alj2102"/><ref name="dw201121"/><ref name="euronews"/><ref name="fox2012"/><ref name="cnn201124"/> Although not mentioned in the bill,<ref name="lrem"/> the Federation of Labor Unions cgt,<ref name="cgt201117"/> Amnesty International,<ref name="ai2103"/> and LQDN,<ref name="lqdn2011"/> among others, criticize that “processing” of imagery could entail facial recognition, thus putting citizens under general suspicion.

== Progress == The law was drawn up by the members of the National Assembly Alice Thourot (LREM, Drôme) and Jean-Michel Fauvergue (LREM, Seine-et-Marne), a former commander of a RAID police unit.<ref name="lcp"/>

On 20 October 2020, examination of the text began in an accelerated procedure which requires only one lecture by the parliament and subsequent approval by the senate. The national consultative commission on human rights of France sees the repeated use of accelerated procedure as a decline of democratic debate.<ref name="cncdh"/>

During the parliament's session on 24 November 2020, the proposal was adopted with a support of 388 yeas, versus 104 nays, and 66 in abstention.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} Most members of the ruling party LREM («En Marche!»){{Citation needed|date=October 2021}} voted in support for the bill, whilst most votes against were cast by parties belonging to the left spectrum; 10 votes against also came from LREM members.<ref name="dw201130"/>

Following mass protests,<ref name="cnn201130"/><ref name="dw201130"/> the most controversial Article 24 was reworded<ref name="alj2102"/> by the Law Commission of the French Senate.<ref name="ahram"/> Initially ''any'' distribution of photographs was penalized. The new wording rather focuses on “''causing'' the identification” of subjects.<ref name="ahram"/>

France's upper house, The Senate, unanimously approved the amended bill on 18 March 2021,<ref name="aa2103"/> the Day of Political Prisoners. On 15 April 2021, the National Assembly confirmed the changed version with 75 yeas and 33 nays.<ref name="ap2104"/>

In France a law has to be promulgated within 15 days after its final adoption. However, the deadline is suspended if the law is referred to the Constitutional Council. Opposing organizations and local governments had already preemptively announced to call the Constitutional Council.<ref name="slsg"/>

In its decision of 20 May 2021, the Constitutional Council recognized partial unconstitutionality.<ref name="cc"/><ref name="jorf"/>

With unconstitutional provisions removed, the law was promulgated and published on 25 and 26 May 2021 respectively.<ref name="jorf"/>

== See also == * Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, a UK policing and justice law that evoked protests in about the same time frame

== External links == * [https://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/dyn/15/dossiers/securite_globale1 Global Security Bill], Website of the National Assembly {{in lang|fr}}

== References == <references> <ref name="aa2103">{{cite news | title = Protests in France against police impunity | first = Shweta | last = Desai | date = 21 March 2021 | location = Paris | url = https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/protests-in-france-against-police-impunity/2182965 | publisher = Anadolu Agency | access-date = 18 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="ahram">{{cite news | title = France's global security bill and human rights | first = Mostafa | last = Ahmady | date = 26 March 2021 | url = https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/407652.aspx | work = Ahram Online | access-date = 18 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="ai2103">{{cite web | title = France: New security law risks dystopian surveillance state | url = https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/03/france-new-security-law-risks-dystopian-surveillance-state/ | date = 3 March 2021 | website = Amnesty International | access-date = 18 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="alj2102">{{cite news | title = French security bill: ‘Illegal tactics’ used against protesters | date = 8 February 2021 | url = https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/8/amnesty-slams-french-polices-handling-of-security-bill-protests | work = Al Jazeera | access-date = 18 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="ap2104">{{cite news | title = French MPs approve controversial security bill restricting police images | date = 15 April 2021 | agency = Associated Press | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/french-lawmakers-ok-security-bill-increasing-police-powers-french-emmanuel-macron-paris-national-assembly-senate-b1831913.html | via = The Independent | access-date = 18 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="apn2011">{{cite press release |title = Projet de loi sur la securite globale |date = 9 November 2020 |location = Paris |url = https://www.alliancepn.fr/media/projet-de-loi-sur-la-securite-globale-25462 |publisher = Alliance Police Nationale |format = PDF |language = fr |access-date = 18 April 2021 |archive-date = 19 April 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210419062407/https://www.alliancepn.fr/media/projet-de-loi-sur-la-securite-globale-25462 |url-status = dead }}</ref> <ref name="cc">{{cite web | title = Décision n° 2021-817 DC du 20 mai 2021 | trans-title = Decision number 2021‑817 DC of 20 May 2021 | work = Conseil constitutionnel | language = fr | url = https://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/decision/2021/2021817DC.htm | access-date = 7 February 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="cgt201117">{{cite press release | title = Un projet de loi sécurité qui n’est pas au service de la population | date = 17 November 2020 | url = https://www.cgt.fr/comm-de-presse/un-projet-de-loi-securite-qui-nest-pas-au-service-de-la-population | work = cgt | language = fr | access-date = 18 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="cncdh">{{cite web | title = La CNCDH s’alarme du contournement des processus démocratiques | trans-title = CNCDH alarmed by bypassing of democratic procedures | url = https://www.cncdh.fr/fr/actualite/la-cncdh-salarme-du-contournement-des-processus-democratiques | date = 13 November 2020 | publisher = Commission nationale consultative des droits de l’homme | language = fr | access-date = 16 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="cncdh-opinion">{{cite web | title = Avis sur la proposition de loi relative à la sécurité globale | trans-title = Opinion on the proposed Global Security Bill | date = 26 November 2020 | url = https://www.cncdh.fr/fr/actualite/avis-sur-la-proposition-de-loi-relative-la-securite-globale | publisher = Commission nationale consultative des droits de l’homme | language = fr | access-date = 16 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="cnn201124">{{cite news | title = French lawmakers pass controversial bill that restricts the publication of images of police | first = Melissa | last = Bell | date = 25 November 2020 | location = Paris | url = https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/24/europe/france-freedom-of-press-law-police-images-controversy-intl/index.html | publisher = Cable News Network | access-date = 18 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="cnn201130">{{cite news | title = France's ruling party promises change in controversial proposed security law | author1-first = Pierre | author1-last = Bairin | author2-first = Gaelle | author2-last = Fournier | date = 30 November 2020 | location = Paris | url = https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/30/europe/france-security-law-change-intl/index.html | work = Cable News Network | access-date = 18 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="dw201121">{{cite news | title = France: Thousands protest against bill to curb filming of police | date = 21 November 2020 | url = https://p.dw.com/p/3lezj | website = Deutsche Welle | access-date = 18 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="dw201130">{{cite news | title = France's Macron under fire for political lurch to the right | first = Lisa | last = Louis | date = 30 November 2020 | url = https://p.dw.com/p/3m1pF | website = Deutsche Welle | access-date = 18 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="jorf">{{cite web | title = Journal officiel "Lois et Décrets" | language = fr | url = https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/eli/jo/2021/5/26/0120 | access-date = 7 February 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="lcp">{{cite news | title = "Sécurité globale" : la proposition de loi LaREM franchit l’étape de la commission des lois | trans-title = “Global security”: the LaREM bill passes the law commission | first = Pierre | last = Maurer | date = 10 November 2020 | url = https://lcp.fr/actualites/securite-globale-la-proposition-de-loi-larem-franchit-l-etape-de-la-commission-des-lois | work = La Chaîne parlementaire – Assemblée Nationale | language = fr | access-date = 11 February 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="lrem">{{cite web | title = PPL Sécurité globale : mieux protéger les Français et ceux qui les protègent ! | date = 19 November 2020 | url = https://en-marche.fr/articles/actualites/PPL-securite-globale-mieux-proteger-les-Francais-et-ceux-qui-les-protegent | website = En Marche ! | language = fr | access-date = 18 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="lqdn2011">{{cite web | title = Global Security Law: Routine Surveillance of Demonstrations | author = Guinness | date = 30 November 2020 | url = https://www.laquadrature.net/en/2020/11/30/global-security-law-routine-surveillance-of-demonstrations/ | website = La Quadrature du Net | access-date = 18 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="euronews">{{cite news | title = Why is France's new national security bill controversial? | last = Beswick | first = Emma | date = 28 November 2020 | url = https://www.euronews.com/2020/11/28/why-is-france-s-new-national-security-bill-controversial | work = euronews | access-date = 11 February 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="fox2012">{{cite news | title = France struggles with systemic racism and new security law as protests rock country | first = Chris | last = Massaro | date = 4 December 2020 | url = https://www.foxnews.com/world/france-struggles-systemic-racism-new-security-law-protests-rock-country | work = Fox News | access-date = 16 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="nextinpact">{{cite web | title = Images des policiers, surveillance par drone : la proposition de loi sur la Sécurité globale | trans-title = Photos of policemen, surveillance by drones: the proposed bill on global security | first = Marc | last = Rees | date = 15 October 2020 | url = https://www.nextinpact.com/article/44188/images-policiers-surveillance-par-drone-proposition-loi-sur-securite-globale | access-date = 11 February 2021 | website = Next INpact | language = fr }}</ref> <ref name="pp">{{cite web | title = France's ‘global security’ bill | first = Paola | last = Pietrandrea | date = 23 November 2020 | url = https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/can-europe-make-it/frances-global-security-bill/  | publisher = openDemocracy | access-date = 16 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="rsf2102">{{cite web | title = RSF urges French Senate to safeguard press freedom in "global security" and "republican principles" bills | date = 17 February 2021 | url = https://rsf.org/en/news/rsf-urges-french-senate-safeguard-press-freedom-global-security-and-republican-principles-bills | publisher = Reporters without Borders | access-date = 16 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="slsg">{{cite web | title = Stop Loi Sécurité Globale | url = https://stoploisecuriteglobale.fr/ | language = fr | access-date = 18 April 2021 }}</ref> <ref name="unsa">{{cite web |title = Dispositions relatives aux forces de sécurité intérieure |date = 17 November 2020 |url = http://police.unsa.org/IMG/pdf/2020-11-17_proposition_loi_securite_generale_disposition_fdo.pdf |publisher = UNSA |language = fr |access-date = 18 April 2021 |archive-date = 25 November 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201125224852/http://police.unsa.org/IMG/pdf/2020-11-17_proposition_loi_securite_generale_disposition_fdo.pdf |url-status = dead }}</ref> <ref name="upi">{{cite news | title = Thousands protest French law restricting rights to film, photograph police | first = Christen | last = McCurdy | date = 28 November 2020 | url = https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2020/11/28/Thousands-protest-French-law-restricting-rights-to-film-photograph-police/8941606610875/ | website = UPI | access-date = 18 April 2021 }}</ref> </references>

Category:Law of France