European rights watchdog ‘concerned’ by France emergency renewal

French President Francois Hollande makes a statement after a signing ceremony of agreement in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 25, 2016. AP Photo

STRASBOURG, France—The Council of Europe on Monday criticised France’s bid to extend the state of emergency imposed after the deadly Paris attacks, in a letter from the watchdog’s secretary-general to President Francois Hollande.

READ: French plan to prolong state of emergency over terror threat

The measures put in place after the coordinated jihadist attacks that killed 130 in Paris on November 13 give greater powers to security services to act without requiring judicial oversight or search warrants.

Hollande will on February 3 ask his cabinet to approve a draft law to extend the measures for another three months when they expire on February 26.

READ: Hollande sets out plan to tackle France’s ‘economic emergency’

“It was with some concern that I learned that its extension appeared to be under consideration,” wrote Thorbjorn Jagland.

Jagland warned Hollande of “the risks” that could result from the renewal, such as “the circumstances in which administrative searches or house arrests may be carried out.”

He also warned against restrictions on freedom of movement and problems that might arise from the use of firearms by French security forces.

Despite criticism from French and UN rights experts, the government is seeking to change the constitution to make it easier for emergency powers to be imposed, and protect them from legal challenges.