The French National Assembly [official website, in French] on Wednesday approved a bill [text, PDF, in French] that would strip convicted terrorists of their citizenship rights. The amendment to the constitution would also grant the president greater power to act in an emergency or terrorist situation. The legislation, dubbed the draft to protect the nation, would allow for a state of emergency to last from 12 days to four month and extend police powers for investigative purposes. The bill now head to the senate for a vote.

The French government declared a state of emergency following the terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13. In November French police authorities conducted more than 2,700 raids and enforced 360 house arrests [JURIST report]. In this period, at least 20 complaints were filed against the French government, a majority by the French Muslim population who allege abuse and unfair [STAR report] of Muslims. On November 19 the French National Assembly voted to extend the state of emergency until February 2016. In December more than 100 organizations issued a statement [JURIST report] asking the French government to lift the state of emergency.