Socialists unveil liberty 'attacks'
Opposition publishes “black book” of government laws they claim have reduced liberties in France.
SOCIALIST leader Martine Aubry has unveiled a “black book” of “attacks on public liberty” since Sarkozy became president.
The 170-page book is in the form of an A-Z of allegedly repressive measures under 89 headings.
It is part of a campaign which will culminate in an event at the Zénith de Paris on March 22, where politicians, performers and associations will be invited to Le Printemps des Libertés pour la Défense de la République.
The book dwells on issues like peines planchers (minimum sentences for reoffenders), the extension of the use of rétention de sûreté (keeping prisoners considered dangerous in prison beyond the end of their sentences), new broadcasting laws (enabling the president to appoint the head of France Télévisions) and the collecting of personal data on the Edvige database.
“Laws are piling up to limit freedoms in our country,” said Aubry, launching the book. “What has become of the France of human rights?”
Government spokesman Luc Chatel described Aubry’s action as “a serious and irresponsible attack.”
He said that on the contrary, there had been measures in favour of greater freedom, citing constitutional reforms which had given the opposition new rights and the creation of a post of “mediator of public liberties.”
The leader of the UMP in the National Assembly, Jean-François Copé, said he was “very shocked,” and described Aubry’s list as “absolutely indecent” in the light of the many countries where liberty was really under threat.
“The Socialists are always trying to beat us up – when they are not beating each other up – and can’t be bothered to come up with alternative ideas,” he said.
Photo: Martine Aubry was elected leader of the Socialist Party in November 2008
