Amid rights objections: France debates charging protesters for damage caused by others

The French Senate is set to debate a controversial bill that would allow participants in gatherings where violent acts occurred to be held liable for compensation of up to 10,000 euros for damages they did not commit, amid rights criticism.

The French Senate is set to debate on Tuesday a controversial bill that has sparked widespread rights concerns, allowing individuals who participated in gatherings where violent or vandalism acts occurred to be held liable for compensation for damages they did not directly commit, up to 10,000 euros. The bill, known as "the vandal pays," has drawn criticism from unions and rights groups who argue that expanding the scope of civil liability could lead to protesters being held accountable for actions committed by others, threatening legal safeguards related to freedom of assembly and expression. The French government says the bill aims to improve compensation for victims of violence and vandalism, and ensure recovery of funds paid by the state to cover damages, rather than burdening the public purse alone. According to the government text submitted in September 2026, the bill proposes establishing a system of joint civil liability, covering individuals who knowingly participate in a group where a member commits intentional acts of violence, theft, or vandalism, during the time and place where those acts occurred. The proposed liability extends to individuals who voluntarily continue to participate in a gathering despite dispersal orders, knowing that some participants are committing acts of violence or vandalism. Under this mechanism, a person could be required to compensate for damages committed by other participants in the same group, up to a cap of 10,000 euros, even if it is not proven that they carried out the vandalism themselves.