CNEWS : Censorship of former article 24 of the Global Security bill relating to the recording of images of police officers
Matthieu Ragot, partner, was the guest on May 21st of Loic Signor and CNEWS’ 90 minutes info, for an analysis of the decision of the French Conseil Constitutionnel censoring the very controversial article 24 of the global security bill relating to the recording of images of police officers.
Key points
- In criminal matters, the elements which make it possible to characterize the offense must be very clearly defined, by virtue of the constitutional principle of legality of offenses and penalties. It is precisely this lack of clarity which was sanctioned by the Constitutional Council.
- This censorship could be anticipated. Moreover, the Prime Minister himself had referred this provision to the Constitutional Council so that it could control its constitutionality.
- There is another provision under examination before Parliament – article 18 of the bill reinforcing respect for the principles of the Republic – whose purpose is similar to the censored former article 24 and which has already made the subject to a favorable opinion from the Council of State on the basis of the principle of legality of offenses and penalties.
