Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Comedian Dieudonne is one of those targeted by police since the attacks. AP/Press Association Images
Free Speech

As France rounds up 'defenders of terrorism', Amnesty worries about free speech

The human rights group has outlined a number of troubling cases.

A MAN SENTENCED to 10 months in a French jail for expressing solidarity with the Kouachi brothers is just one example of free speech issues Amnesty International is worried about.

The human rights NGO says France is facing a ‘litmus test’ for freedom of expression as dozens are arrested in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attacks.

Amnesty says some of those arrested are being pursued under tough new counter-terrorism laws introduced in November.

“In a week in which world leaders and millions around the world have spoken out in defence of freedom of expression, the French authorities must be careful not to violate this right themselves,” warned Colm O’Gorman of Amnesty Ireland.

Amnesty say the new laws criminalise “inciting” or “defending” terrorism and carry a sentence of up to five years in prison. This can increase to seven years if it involves posting something online.

One of those targeted by police for allegedly being an “apologist for terrorism” is French comedian Dieudonné, who wrote on Facebook that he ‘felt like Charlie Coulibaly’. A reference to both Charlie Hebdo and kosher restaurant attacker Amedy Coulibaly.

Dieudonné also posted pictures of his arrest to his Facebook page.

Up to 54 people are believed to have been arrested in the week after the attacks for ’defending or glorifying terrorism’.

Amnesty International has questioned a number of these cases.

These include, they say, the case of a 21-year-old who was caught without a ticket on a tram, and subsequently sentenced to 10 months in prison for allegedly saying, “The Kouachi brothers is just the beginning, I should have been with them to kill more people.”

Others include cases include a man shouting in the street “I am proud to be a
Muslim, I do not like Charlie, they were right to do that”.

Another was an drunk man who, upon his arrest for drunk driving, allegedly told the
police “there should be more Kouachi, I hope you will be next.”

France Attacks Lionel Cironneau Lionel Cironneau

Crackdown

French Justice Minister Christiane Taubira last week urged prosecutors to take tough action against those who condone terrorism and carry out racist or anti-Semitic acts.

“In these times when the nation must display unity, reprehensible words or acts of hatred or contempt made because of religious affiliation must be fought with the utmost vigour,” Taubira wrote in an official notice to prosecutors Monday.

But Amnesty says that, while Governments must take action against incitement to discrimination or violence, vague statements that fall short of that must not be criminalised.

Read: French comedian Dieudonné to stand trial over Facebook comments about Paris attacks >

Read: Paris attacks: Kouachi brothers given secret burial in unmarked graves >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Your Voice
Readers Comments
97
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds