French authorities have taken unprecedented steps to ensure the safety and security of the Paris Olympics by restricting the movements of individuals deemed potential security threats. Under an anti-terror law, hundreds of people, including minorities with backgrounds in former French colonies, have been barred from leaving their neighborhoods and are required to report daily to police.
The Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, has defended these measures as necessary to prevent potential attacks during the Games. Over 500 individuals have been subjected to restrictions this year, with just under 200 still in force during the Olympics.
While some support the use of these powers for Olympic security, others, including lawyers representing affected individuals, argue that the measures are being applied too broadly. They highlight cases where individuals with no criminal records or tenuous links to extremism have been targeted.
French authorities have significantly ramped up security for the Games, deploying up to 45,000 police officers and soldiers armed with assault rifles. The heightened security measures come in the wake of foiled terror plots targeting Olympic events, LGBTQ+ venues, and the Jewish community.
The use of administrative controls and surveillance measures, known as MICAS, has drawn criticism from legal experts who argue that the restrictions can only be challenged in court after they have been applied. Some lawyers have successfully overturned these orders, citing lack of evidence or flimsy intelligence used to justify the restrictions.
As France grapples with the delicate balance between security concerns and individual rights, the implementation of these measures has sparked debate over the extent of government powers and the protection of civil liberties.
