By Claire Bernish (ANTIMEDIA): Since a nationwide state of emergency was imposed after attacks in Paris on November 13, French police have had powers to search civilians’ homes, and even place people under house arrest—without a judge’s order or even warrants to do so. That new authority has just been extended for the next three months.
To the alarm of civil rights groups and privacy advocates worldwide, France’s parliament approved the extension of powers not seen in that country since 1955. Warrantless searches, house arrest with prevention of free association afterward, and blocking of websites considered to incite or advocate “acts of terrorism” are among powers given to police with this state of emergency.
“This is the fast response of a democracy faced with barbarism,” Prime Minister Emmanuel Valls told the parliament. “This is an effective legal response in the face of an ideology of chaos.” He added that these extensions of authority are “modern and effective tools to fight the terrorist threat.”
Though some say a greater sense of security makes loss of privacy a worthwhile tradeoff, and while the French government claims those powers are necessary, it’s increasingly questionable whether they will ever be revoked.
To the alarm of civil rights groups and privacy advocates worldwide, France’s parliament approved the extension of powers not seen in that country since 1955. Warrantless searches, house arrest with prevention of free association afterward, and blocking of websites considered to incite or advocate “acts of terrorism” are among powers given to police with this state of emergency.
“This is the fast response of a democracy faced with barbarism,” Prime Minister Emmanuel Valls told the parliament. “This is an effective legal response in the face of an ideology of chaos.” He added that these extensions of authority are “modern and effective tools to fight the terrorist threat.”
Though some say a greater sense of security makes loss of privacy a worthwhile tradeoff, and while the French government claims those powers are necessary, it’s increasingly questionable whether they will ever be revoked.






