India, Oct. 27 -- Amnesty International said French lawmakers must reject a proposed bill commonly referred to as the “Rioters Pay” bill, ahead of a two-day debate in the French Senate on Oct. 27 and 28. Amnesty International said the bill would make demonstrators pay compensation for damage caused during street protests even if they did not directly cause it themselves, and warned it would have a chilling effect on freedom of peaceful assembly.
Liability and compensation provisions
Amnesty International said that, if passed, the legislation could hold individuals liable for acts they did not personally commit, provided they “knowingly” participated in a gathering where acts of violence, theft, destruction, or property damage took place....