France: Lawmakers must reject regressive “Rioters Pay” bill

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Ahead of a two-day debate in the French Senate, Amnesty International has called on lawmakers to reject the so-called “Rioters Pay” bill. Under this proposal, individuals could be held liable for acts they did not personally commit, provided they ‘knowingly’ participated in a gathering where violence or property damage occurred. Nathalie Godard, Director of the Action Department at Amnesty International France, emphasized that the bill risks arbitrary punishment and contradicts France’s international obligations. The legislation would also allow for the seizure of social benefits and housing allowances to cover compensation, potentially plunging vulnerable families into poverty. Furthermore, Amnesty International expressed concern over the expansion of expulsion penalties for foreign nationals involved in public order offenses, warning that such measures must not violate the absolute principle of non-refoulement.