France's Macron defends controversial anti-terror law

By Hajer M'tiri

STRASBOURG, France

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday delivered a keynote speech in Strasbourg defending a controversial anti-terror and security law slammed by human rights advocates as a threat to civil liberties.

The law, which gives the authorities vastly expanded powers to search homes, restrict movement and close places of worship, was signed by Macron on Monday. It is set to replace the state of emergency, due to conclude on Nov. 1.

The law "is not intended to sustain the state of emergency as some have said but provides necessary measures for the protection of our compatriots, strictly defined, supervised and subject to an enhanced control of a judge," Macron told a news conference after meeting the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjorn Jagland.

Speaking later before European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) judges, Macron said: "The state of emergency, which will end this night, is no longer effective, no longer adequate and no longer suitable."

This is the first time a French president made an address before the 47-member ECHR panel.

"The democratic debate took place, civil society expressed itself and the text was voted [through] by a very large majority... It is an effective, respectful and protective law and is part of the European Convention on Human Rights," Macron said, explaining the outcome of the law would be evaluated in two years.

Rights groups and international platforms, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), fear the new law -- which grants police exceptional powers -- will create a permanent quasi-state of emergency in the country.

Analysts from the UN High Commissioner warned last month that France's Muslim population could be discriminated against and disproportionally targeted by the new powers.

Under the new law, police could carry out house raids and searches without a warrant or judicial oversight, including at night. It also gives officials extra powers to skip usual judicial processes and place people under house arrest.

The law also allows for restrictions on gatherings and the closure of places of worship.

Despite the repeatedly extended state of emergency since the November 2015 terrorist attacks, France has been the target of several deadly terror attacks during the last two years.