Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- According to the French Ministry of Internal Affairs, more than 133 thousand residents took part in the demonstrations, which took place under the slogan "Lower your weapons, and we will lower the cameras!", However, according to the organizers of the actions, their number was about 500 thousand, of which 46 thousand took to the streets of Paris. During the riots, over 80 protesters were detained, and 37 police officers and officers of the national gendarmerie were injured.

Protests in the French capital escalated into clashes with police, when Black Bloc radicals joined the protesters in the Place de la Bastille, building a barricade, lighting bonfires, throwing stones and fireworks at security forces. They set fire to several cars and buildings, including the facade of the Bank of France. In turn, the police used tear gas and stun grenades.

Also, mass rallies took place in Bordeaux (more than 6 thousand people participated), in Lyon (7.5 thousand protesters demanded the resignation of the Minister of the Interior J. Darmanin), in Strasbourg (3 thousand participants) in Lille, Rouen, Marseille, Montpellier, etc.

The trigger for the mass protests was the fact that, despite lively discussions, on 20 November 2020, the lower house of the French parliament in first reading approved the law "On Global Security". As a result, 388 deputies supported the bill, 104 voted against, 66 abstained.

The main points of the bill that cause criticism from the public and the population are the following provisions.

1. Increased punishment for attempts on the life of government officials. Moreover, those convicted of this will not be able to use the regime of early release or amnesty.

2. It is planned to expand the powers of the municipal police, to tighten the network of video cameras and surveillance equipment, and to change the rules for the work of private security companies.

3. Particularly harsh criticism is caused by Article 24 of the bill, which provides for up to 1 year in prison and up to 45 thousand euros of a fine for disseminating a “face image or other element of identification” of a policeman or gendarme, filmed in the course of his official duties, in order his physical or mental integrity”.

Also, according to the law, journalists must pre-register to cover demonstrations on the ground.

The article, which has received the approval of the police trade unions, provokes protests from defenders of public freedoms and a number of politicians who see it as a "disproportionate attack" on freedom of speech and information and, in their opinion, "it will lead to self-censorship."

Discontent began to grow after the appearance in social networks of personnel dispersing migrants on the Republic Square on 23 November 2020 and video recordings of the beating of music producer M. Zekler by law enforcement agencies at his studio in Paris.

In turn, Interior Minister J. Darmanen said that “the new measure will be aimed exclusively at protecting the lives of police officers and gendarmes, who, unlike many European colleagues, work with open faces. The minister argues that "the new measure does not in any way hinder the work of the press, as well as the right of protesters to defend."

Against the background of growing discontent, Prime Minister J. Casteks ordered the creation of an independent commission to finalize the text of the controversial article. This angered the parliamentarians. As stated by the chairman of the National Assembly R. Ferrand, "the government should not infringe on the powers of parliamentarians, replacing their work with the appointment of an independent commission at its own discretion." The Speaker of the Senate J. Larcher recommended the ministers to “re-read the constitution”.

On 23 November 2020, the European Commission, expressing its opinion on the draft law, recalled "the importance of a balance between guarantees of public safety and protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens." The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights also expressed "deep concern".

According to experts, the controversy over the new law could trigger a political crisis. In particular, the scandal that broke out has already provoked discord in the ruling Forward Republic movement. Le Monde also claims that "serious tension" arose in relations between the Elysee Palace and the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the wake of the incident.

In general, analysts note that if the new law is adopted, firstly, E. Macron will lose the support of many of his supporters, and secondly, the document may bring the French government to the bench of the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.