France is moving towards holding individuals financially accountable for damage caused during urban riots. This decision follows unrest last weekend, where mostly peaceful protests against the rising cost of living were overshadowed by widespread looting and destruction.
The proposed “rioters pay” law, approved by the French government in mid-September, was initially drafted after violence erupted following Paris Saint-Germain’s victory in the Champions League in May. It is now framed as a response to the violence seen during the recent protests in various cities, which authorities estimate resulted in damage costing several hundred million euros.
The Senate’s law committee, which is primarily made up of right-wing and centrist politicians, endorsed the bill this week. Senators are scheduled to debate it on 27 October.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has called the legislation “absolutely essential” to prevent taxpayers from repeatedly covering costs related to violent protests. If enacted, those found guilty of vandalism could face compensation claims of up to €10,000. A contentious element of the bill would introduce collective civil liability, meaning individuals could be held liable for damage caused by a group they belong to, even if they did not commit the act themselves.
The draft bill has faced criticism from the left. Mathilde Panot of the France Unbowed group labelled it “a weapon of mass repression,” while fellow member Clémence Guetté argued it “establishes a presumption of guilt.” Legal experts have raised concerns about the compatibility of collective liability with constitutional principles, particularly individual responsibility and the presumption of innocence.
Further complications include the practicality of identifying group members liable for damage, especially among masked demonstrators. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the financial capacity of those ordered to pay. The bill caps compensation at €10,000 but allows for the seizure of social benefits if payments are not made.
Amendments were adopted to broaden the types of benefits that could be affected, and foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes linked to urban violence could face bans on remaining in France. The Senate could make further revisions when it discusses the bill on 27 October.
