French police have discriminated against Muslims residing in France under the state of emergency law [bill text, in French] imposed in November according to a report [press release] released by Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] on Wednesday. The state of emergency expands police power for searches and arrests, and allows authorities to restrict movement of individuals and vehicles within the country’s borders. Targeted individuals have said that police have abused their power granted by the law by violently and discriminatorily restricting citizens movements. These individuals have testified to losing income and suffering physically from these acts. Amnesty International (AI) [advocacy website] also issued a report [press release] on the disproportionate impact of the emergency measures, including details on police searches, the closure of mosques and the blanket ban on public assemblies.

The French government declared a state of emergency following the terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13. In November, French police authorities conducted over 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 targeting [Star report] of Muslims. On November 19 the French National Assembly [official website, in French] voted to extend the state of emergency [JURIST report] until February 2016. In December, over 100 organizations issued a statement [JURIST report] asking the French government to lift the state of emergency.