# French Authorities Use Anti-Terror Laws Against Political Protesters Legal experts and activists condemn the use of house arrest orders to suppress demonstrations. - **Source:** [France Info – Titres](https://www.francetvinfo.fr) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/286d77de-3424-405d-bed7-18155230b143 ## Controversial Use of Measures The French Ministry of Interior is facing intense criticism for using anti-terrorism legal tools to restrict protesters. Dozens of activists were issued house arrest orders, known as Micas, ahead of demonstrations on October 24 and 31. Legal experts argue this represents a significant shift toward authoritarianism within the French state. ## Legal Basis of Restrictions The Micas measures originated from the 2015-2017 state of emergency and were later integrated into common law via the 2017 Silt law. These provisions allow authorities to impose perimeter restrictions, daily police reporting, or bans on appearing in specific areas. They are legally intended solely to prevent acts of terrorism. ## Government Justification Strategy Minister Laurent Nuñez defended the actions before a parliamentary inquiry, citing an insurrectional risk. He noted that calls for action on Halloween night were explicit. The government also pointed to recent violent incidents, including an October 23 attack in Yvelines and chaotic clashes during protests on October 17, as primary justifications. ## Scope of Affected Individuals Lawyers estimate at least sixty people were targeted by these administrative orders during the late October weekend. Many of the affected individuals, including environmentalists and anti-fascist campaigners, have clean criminal records. Critics argue there is no evidence linking these activists to any terrorist entities or radicalized groups as defined by law. ## The Role of Intelligence Many of these administrative decisions rely on 'notes blanches,' which are intelligence reports that do not disclose their sources. Legal scholars warn that while these documents are not inherently illegal, their frequent use by the Ministry of Interior complicates judicial oversight, as judges often struggle to verify the underlying evidence provided. ## Procedural Obstacles to Recourse Activists have the right to challenge these orders in administrative courts, but late notifications effectively block this path. Orders are often served just hours before a protest, making it impossible to meet the 48-hour requirement for an effective legal appeal. Consequently, many challenges are rendered moot before a judge can rule. ## Historical Precedent and Escalation The use of Micas expanded significantly during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where hundreds of orders were issued, many targeting minors. Serge Slama, a public law professor, notes that the threshold for applying these measures has lowered over time. Critics fear this normalization of emergency tools threatens fundamental democratic rights to protest. ## Impact on Civil Liberties Activists describe the experience of being assigned to their homes as brutal and a clear attempt to silence political dissent. Syndicalists and environmentalists report being targeted for their presence near protests or for their roles in organizing collective actions. This strategy is viewed by many as a direct attack on dissent. ## Judicial and European Scrutiny Lawyers are now preparing to challenge these decisions on their merits, with cases expected to reach administrative courts within fifteen days. There is also the possibility of appealing to the European Court of Human Rights. France has previously been condemned by this court for similar measures used during the 2015 COP21 summit. ## Government Silence on Scale Despite public outcry and inquiries from the media, the Ministry of Interior has not released the precise number of orders issued since the social unrest began. The lack of transparency regarding the total volume of these administrative restrictions further fuels concerns among human rights organizations about the government's current internal security strategy. ## Activist Resolve Remains High Despite the threat of administrative sanctions, many activists remain determined to continue their mobilization. An affected teacher from Marseille stated that these measures have only strengthened his resolve to participate in future protests. The movement appears to view these government tactics as a sign of weakness rather than effective policy control. ## Broader Democratic Implications The current situation highlights a growing tension between national security requirements and the protection of civil liberties in France. As the government faces ongoing social crises, the reliance on anti-terrorism frameworks to manage political opposition remains a deeply divisive issue that will likely shape future legal and political debates for years. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.franceinfo.fr/economie/greve/on-denonce-ces-outils-de-lutte-contre-le-terrorisme-pourquoi-les-assignations-a-residence-prononcees-contre-des-manifestants-font-polemique_8266007.html#xtor=RSS-3-[lestitres] — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. 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