The European Commission said Oct. 19 that peaceful protest must be protected amid unrest in France and urged online platforms to address calls for violence, distinguishing public dissent from attacks on people and property.
At a briefing in Brussels, Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert said the right to demonstrate peacefully must be protected in all democratic countries. He distinguished peaceful demonstrators from people responsible for violence and condemned arson, looting and attacks on people and public buildings. French authorities are responsible for policing and investigations, he said.
Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier urged platforms to address the amplification of calls for violence. Under the European Union’s Digital Services Act, designated very large platforms and search engines must assess and mitigate systemic risks. The briefing announced no finding of a violation or formal proceeding. Regnier said the Commission was in close contact with France’s digital services coordinator.
The comments followed Oct. 17 demonstrations over living costs and fuel prices that were accompanied by damage to shops and public buildings. In an Oct. 18 address, French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged protesters’ concerns while condemning the damage. He said Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu would convene school pupils, university students, teachers, union and employer representatives, local authorities and lawmakers in the coming days.
Macron said merchants had borne damage during the unrest. He also attributed concern over fuel prices to the Persian Gulf conflict.
Lecornu instructed prefects to impose partial curfews in areas affected by violence on Oct. 19. He said prefects should consult mayors and chambers of commerce before introducing the restrictions, which he said were intended to protect people and shops.
France’s statistics agency, Insee, is scheduled to release October consumer price figures Nov. 13.
