Thousands march in France against ‘licence to kill’ draft law
Thousands of protesters across France are demonstrating against a proposed law that would grant police a presumption of legality when using force. Critics, including human rights organizations, argue the bill creates a 'licence to kill' and risks increasing police impunity.
Why it matters
The legislation highlights ongoing tensions regarding police accountability and civil liberties in France, potentially setting a precedent for state-sanctioned use of force.
Thousands of people marched in Paris and other French cities on Sunday against a proposed law on the legitimate use of force that critics say would be a “licence to kill” for police and gendarmes.
In July, deputies in the National Assembly approved the bill which says that any police official who uses force is assumed to have acted legally when using their weapon. It now faces a vote in the Senate.
Politicians, rights groups and other activists joined the Paris demonstration, among them Mathilde Panot of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party.
“The police kill already,” Panot told the crowd, calling for the bill to be voted down in the Senate.
“In the Republic there can be no organised police impunity,” she added. “In the Republic, there cannot be a category of citizens who have the right of life or death over other citizens.”
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