# Rights groups call proposed French law making rioters pay for damage anti-democratic

https://mins.news/en/item/117897

- France 24, 2026-10-27 18:27 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.france24.com/en/france/20261027-rights-groups-say-proposed-french-law-to-make-rioters-pay-for-damage-anti-democratic

> Critics say a proposed French law requiring rioters to pay for damage they cause could undermine the legitimate right to protest and is anti-democratic. The government put it forward to curb looting and vandalism on the fringes of ongoing national protests over poor school conditions and the high cost of living.

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- [French Senate debates new ‘rioters pay’ bill](https://mins.news/en/video/118744) — France 24 English, 2026-10-28
- [French bill making rioters pay faces ‘anti-democratic’ backlash](https://mins.news/en/item/117568) — Reuters, 2026-10-27
- [Macron’s ‘vandals pay’ bill puts right to protest at risk](https://mins.news/en/item/115007) — The Guardian, 2026-10-25