Reasons For The French Community Protest Against The Bill On State Security

Illustration (Source: Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The State Security Bill (RUU) launched by the French government sparked demonstrations of thousands of French citizens. The reason is, the regulation has a policy of prohibiting French citizens from taking pictures of police while on duty.

Launching Euro News, Monday, November 30, the controversial bill is awaiting the decision of the French parliament to be passed. In drafting the bill, the French government tried to protect police officers from judging netizens online.

In article 24, for example. The article explains that it is an offense when someone shows the face or identity of any police officer on duty. The government believes the move will damage the physical or psychological integrity of the police.

If this regulation passes, later anyone who spreads photos of French police will be threatened with jail for up to one year, and a maximum fine of 45 thousand euros, equivalent to Rp763 million. All of that, according to what Emmanuel Macron proposed in October.

The bill has also come under fire from activists and journalist groups. Moreover, France itself has received direct warnings from the European Union and the United Nations in order to reduce the number of violence by the police.

Threatens many parties

According to those who are contra, the bill will limit press freedom and by itself destroy the accountability of the police in the eyes of the public. Opponents of the bill also think that the regulation will bring joy to journalists and French citizens who try to take pictures of violence from the police.

In addition, those who oppose the bill are of the opinion that documenting various actions of police officers that perpetuate violence is a form of concern. This is an effort so that the police can stop violent means of enforcing the law.

As evidence, three officers in France who were found to have committed the murder of Cedric Chouviat were successfully charged with crimes last July. The reason was none other than because a truck driver had recorded the crime.

Not only French citizens. The controversial bill has even been criticized by the European Union. The organization that houses European countries has reminded France to protect journalists. The European Union also invited France to re-examine the controversial State Security Bill in order to ensure press freedom.