"Global security": representatives of NGOs and journalists' unions slam the door of Darmanin

A delegation of representatives of NGOs and journalists' unions opposed to the proposed "Global Security" law, has slammed the door of discussions with the Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin and asks to be received by Prime Minister Jean Castex.

After the mobilization on Saturday, which brought together 22,000 people in twenty demonstrations in France, opponents of the law, received Monday evening by the Minister of the Interior, call "to participate massively" in the new protest marches that will be organized next Saturday.

"We have a minister who put us to sleep"

"The Minister of the Interior gave us a re-explanation of the text of the proposed 'comprehensive security' law and of the new national law enforcement plan (SNMO)," Emmanuel Poupard told a press briefing, first secretary general of the National Union of Journalists (SNJ) and member of the delegation made up of about fifteen people.

"We set as a prerequisite to any discussion the withdrawal of articles 21, 22 and 24 and the SNMO. We have a minister who put us to sleep by proposing some improvements here and there, there is no question of it, therefore we have collectively decided to leave the meeting and we appeal to Prime Minister Jean Castex ", he continued.

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"Global security": is article 24 an attack on the freedom to inform?

Article 24, "A patronage response to police unions"

The bill "Global security" under discussion in parliament, and in particular its article 24 voted on Friday, which intends to penalize the malicious dissemination of photographs of police officers during demonstrations, arouses the indignation of journalists' organizations and defenders of public freedoms.

"In view of the statements of Marlène Schiappa, Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Interior on Monday on RMC which confirms our fears about the freedom to inform and be informed in France, while the European Commission has just recalled that the journalists should be able to 'do their work freely and in complete safety', (...) the coordination considers that Gérald Darmanin is still on the wrong track by stubbornly sticking to this bill, a clientelist response to police unions ", deplores the delegation in a press release.

"I said my open-mindedness to be able to continue working"

"I said my open-mindedness to be able to continue working with journalists' unions and certain associations who had come to see me. They did not wish to continue these discussions, my door is still open," responded on Twitter Gérald Darmanin. 

Today I received representatives of journalists, associations as well as the father of Mr. Chouviat.

I reaffirmed the importance for the government of preserving freedom of the press while ensuring the police all the protection we owe them.

pic.twitter.com/rnT0n0bBaI

- Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) November 23, 2020

The delegation, which believes that the conditions "for a constructive dialogue" with Gérald Darmanin are not met, wrote to Jean Castex to request a meeting.