Not being able to sit, lie down or simply stand, under penalty of a fine of 35 euros. It’s‘stopped what did the city ofAngouleme (Charente) last Tuesday in order to prohibit anyone from remaining static in the streets of the town when this may cause “nuisance”.
According to the terms of the decree, relayed by France Info, “any abusive and prolonged occupation of streets and other public spaces, that is to say by individuals grouped together, immobile or not very mobile, not being in transit and generating nuisances that disturb the tranquility of passers-by or residents” is prohibited. As you will have understood, this decree targets “the marginalized”, according to the municipality of Angoulême. A political choice that recalls the multiple anti-homeless devices denounced annually by the Abbé-Pierre Foundation.
The League of Human Rights would, according to Release, filed an action for annulment accompanied by an interim suspension against the decree in question considering that this “text aims to drive out of the city center people in precarious situations and contravenes fundamental freedoms”, explains François-Xavier Corbel. A second – or rather first – summary freedom has already been filed and will be studied tomorrow, still according to Release. This highly contested decree could therefore be suspended.