The Constitutional Council validates the major provisions of the draft “separatism law”

Published on : 08/13/2021 – 18:26

The major provisions of the controversial bill against “separatism – definitively voted by Parliament at the end of July – were validated on Friday August 13 by the Constitutional Council.

The Wise Men, approached by parliamentarians from left and right on this text “confirming respect for the principles of the Republic”, censored only two measures on the dissolutions of associations and the withdrawal of residence permits granted to foreigners, which do not relate to major provisions, according to his decision.

“Excellent news for the Republic! We welcome with Marlène Schiappa the validation by the Constitutional Council of the” separatism “law”, commented on Twitter the Minister of the Interior, Gerald Darmanin, who carried the bill.

“This text wanted by Emmanuel Macron will make it possible to fight, with force, thanks to new weapons, against those who want to undermine secularism, our common good,” he added.

In its decision, the Constitutional Council censured the provision for suspending the activities of an association which is the subject of a dissolution procedure. As the procedure can last up to six months, the Wise Men believe that “the legislator has violated freedom of association which is not necessary, appropriate and proportionate”.

Article 26, which provided that the issue or renewal of any residence permit could be refused to a foreigner or that a residence permit could be withdrawn if it was established that he had manifested a rejection of the principles of the Republic, is also censored.

According to the Sages, the terms of the bill do not allow “to determine with sufficient precision the behavior justifying [le retrait, le non-renouvellement ou la non-délivrance d’un titre de séjour à un étranger]”.

With AFP