France’s Macron signs controversial anti-terror law

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron signed a controversial anti-terror law on Monday that gives authorities permanent powers to search homes, shut places of worship and restrict the movements of suspected extremists.

The new law, which replaces the state of emergency imposed after the 2015 Paris attacks, sailed through France’s parliament this month despite criticism from campaigners that it jeopardizes civil liberties.

“This law will allow us to end the state of emergency from Nov 1 while fully ensuring the security of our citizens,” Macron said as he signed the bill in front of the cameras.

He added that it could come into force as early as Tuesday, though his office said it would become law when the state of emergency finally expires at midnight on Wednesday after being extended six times.

Macron said there had been “sustained debate” over the bill and said it would be reassessed in two years’ time.

The legislation, which sparked weeks of intense debate in parliament, makes permanent several of the measures enacted after the jihadist attacks in Paris which left 130 people dead in November 2015.

Without seeking permission from the courts, authorities will now be able to close religious sites that promote radical ideas and confine suspected extremism sympathizers to their neighborhoods.

Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said 11 places of worship have been closed “for incitement to commit terrorist acts” under the state of emergency and 41 people are under house arrest because they have links to organizations spreading extremism and hatred.

“Everyone noticed we needed a fair balance between security and freedom, and I believe this text meets this need,” Collomb said on Monday.

Police will be allowed to carry out more on-the-spot identity checks in border areas, as well as around train stations, ports and airports.

Rights groups have voiced fears that such checks will be chiefly used against migrants and minorities.

France has been hit by a series of attacks since the start of 2015 by known or suspected extremists that have left 241 people dead.

There has been little public resistance to the new anti-terror law, reflecting a hardening of attitudes after nearly three years of periodic attacks.

A poll last month for the daily Le Figaro found 57 percent backed tougher laws, even if 62 percent feared this would come at the expense of basic freedoms.

The bill is the third major piece of legislation Macron has signed since he took power in May, following a law on public ethics and flagship reforms to France’s complex labor code.