France parliament approves anti-terrorism bill increasing surveillance powers News
France parliament approves anti-terrorism bill increasing surveillance powers

The lower house of the French parliament on Tuesday voted 415-127 to approve an anti-terrorism bill [materials, in French] that would increase police surveillance powers and enable authorities to close places of worship easier that are suspected of being a threat to national security.

Police would have the authority, through judicial approval, to raid private property and restrict people’s movements if they are suspect as a threat to national security. Additionally, judiciary approval would not be needed prior to shutting down places of worship or setting up security zones when there is an alleged threat to national security.

In November 2015 attacks [JURIST report] in and around Paris by individuals with Islamic State connections resulted in 129 deaths and more than 350 injuries. Since that time, France has extended its state of emergency [JURIST report] in response to the repeated terrorist attacks.

After both houses agree on a similar bill, a second reading and final vote will be conducted in mid-October.