A prison (photo illustration) - Sarah ALCALAY / SIPA

The Parliament adopted definitively on Monday, by a final vote by show of hands of the Assembly, a controversial LREM bill providing for "security measures" for those convicted of terrorism, at the end of their sentence. The President of the National Assembly Richard Ferrand (LREM) immediately announced that he was referring this text to the Constitutional Council to verify the “reconciliation” between “prevention of breaches of public order” and respect for “constitutionally guaranteed freedoms” , according to a statement.

Deputies and senators agreed last week on a compromise version, a “crest line” according to his co-author Yaël Braun-Pivet. Assuring not to have been taken "suddenly by a blinding freedom-killing madness", the Minister of Justice and former lawyer Eric Dupond-Moretti gave his support to this "solution of balance".

Five or ten year bonds

The judicial authority may impose for five or ten years on persons convicted of terrorism, at the end of their sentence, the obligation to respond to the summons of the judge responsible for the execution of sentences, to establish his residence in a specific place, prohibitions on entering into contact and appearing in certain places, as well as the obligation of pointing as well as, subject to the consent of the person, the wearing of the electronic bracelet. These measures are limited to people sentenced to heavy sentences, exceeding five years' imprisonment.

The LREM, LR, UDI and Agir deputies voted in favor, while the MoDem elected representatives split and the Socialists mostly abstained. The LFI, PCF and Libertés et Territoires groups have spoken out against what they see as a “security escalation” and certain provisions “more punitive than preventive”. Left-wing senators could also seize the Wise Men.

"Fill a hole in the racket"

"The threat is proven": some 150 people convicted of terrorism will be released from prison in the next three years, and "some are still dangerous", explained Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the law committee. It is about "filling a hole in the racket of our right", according to the other author of the bill, Raphaël Gauvain. These people were often convicted in the early 2010s, before the sentences for terrorism were toughened in 2016 in the wake of the wave of attacks on French soil.

LR and UDI deputies regretted that the measures did not go further and did not concern “radicalized common law detainees” on their release from detention. The National Bar Council (CNB), which represents the 70,000 lawyers in France, protested at the beginning of June against "sentence after sentence", denouncing a text that calls into question the guarantees of the rule of law. Very critical also, the National Consultative Commission of Human Rights (CNCDH) had called "to stick to traditional intelligence techniques" and to "work in favor of [the] reintegration, the only real guarantee of prevention. of recidivism ”.

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