France announced a state of emergency on the evening of November 13, 2015, after the fatal terror attacks on French soil in modern history left 130 people killed in the Paris region. The government moved through fresh anti-terror laws, giving police and intelligence agencies extended powers, as the country met a wave of further attacks in French cities and towns, such as Nice, St-Étienne-du-Rouvray, Villejuif and Rambouillet. The state of emergency exhaled in November 2017, when President Emmanuel Macron substituted it with a tough anti-terror law.
France has a long record of anti-terror legislation, dating back to the 19th century when the state assumed exceptional provisions under wartime regulations. A wave of Iran-sponsored terrorist episodes in 1986, which left 14 dead and nearly 250 wounded in Paris, led the French government to milestone anti-terror legislation, which delivers the foundation of the country’s anti-terror permitted architecture to this day.
The November 2015 attacks – which arrived months after the January “Charlie Hebdo attacks” that saw 17 people massacred in a three-day terror spree – flashed a spate of ever-tightening security and counterterror measures. Following the massacre at the Bataclan concert hall and other Parisian sites, then-French president François Hollande issued a decree imposing a state of emergency for an initial period of 12 days. The criterion was extended several times after terror threats or aggression, such as the horrific 2016 truck attack in the southern French city of Nice, which killed 86 people on Bastille Day.
The state of emergency authorised police to search homes and place people under house detention without prior judicial approval. Groups or organisations that were deemed to “severely damage public order” could also be shut down directly by the government.
Macron’s anti-terror law was passed on October 30, 2017. It allows police to designate “security perimeters”, where individuals and vehicles can be explored. Other measures include the closure of spiritual establishments promoting radical ideas, and the usage of passenger name records (PNR) to monitor suspicious travellers
The legislation includes several conditions against online hate speech, and the protection of civil servants, and pulled oversight of NGOs and religious associations deemed suspect by the state. It also supports the state’s arsenal against forced matrimonies, polygamy, and the delivery of virginity certificates. The Constitutional Council issued its green light to the bill with only minor changes in August 2021, starting Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin to tweet that it was “excellent news for the Republic”.
In several circumstances, adopting new anti-terror laws is a method for the government to appear tough in its reaction to Islamist attacks. “Also, it is often a political communication exercise,” said Derosier. There is no doubt that Emmanuel Macron’s anti-terrorism laws and counter-terrorism strategy have been effective in providing defence to France from terrorist incidents following the Paris attacks.
Last year, French President Emmanuel Macron celebrated Christmas with French troops while ‘highlighting France’s enduring dedication to the fight against terrorism’ while visiting an airbase in Jordan.
In the wake of the devastating Paris attacks in November 2015, France found itself on the front lines of a relentless battle against terrorism. The government’s swift response, including the declaration of a state of emergency and the enactment of stringent anti-terror laws, demonstrated a commitment to safeguarding the nation against further threats. President Emmanuel Macron’s decisive leadership and proactive counter-terrorism strategy played a crucial role in bolstering France’s defences and thwarting potential attacks.
The adoption of Macron’s anti-terror legislation in October 2017 marked a significant milestone in France’s ongoing fight against extremism. This comprehensive legal framework empowered law enforcement agencies with enhanced capabilities to identify and neutralize terrorist threats. From the establishment of security perimeters to the crackdown on radical ideologies propagated in religious institutions, Macron’s policies provided a robust defence mechanism against the scourge of terrorism.
Furthermore, the recent anti-separatism law, aimed at combating Islamic radicalism, underscored the government’s unwavering determination to uphold national security and protect its citizens. By targeting online hate speech, strengthening oversight of suspect organizations, and addressing societal challenges such as forced marriages and polygamy, France demonstrated a multifaceted approach to tackling extremism at its root.
Despite criticism and political debates surrounding the adoption of these laws, there is undeniable evidence of their effectiveness in safeguarding France against terrorism. The success of Macron’s counter-terrorism measures is evident in the reduction of terrorist incidents and the resilience of the nation in the face of continued threats. As President Macron reaffirms France’s commitment to the fight against terrorism, the nation stands united in its determination to uphold peace, security, and the values of liberty and equality for all its citizens.
