The carnage of Friday, November
13th in Paris : a worldwide symbol attacked
On Friday November 13th, Paris
suffered several simultaneous terrorist attacks organized by ISIS. One hundred
thirty people were killed and 352 injured in attacks by three coordinated
groups of suicide bombers who targeted popular gathering places : the Canal
Saint-Martin, Boulevard Voltaire, Rue de Charonne, the French National Stadium
and the Bataclan concert hall, where 90 people were killed. These horrific
bloodbaths in places known for fun and relaxation, with one unique aim : to blindly
kill the greatest number of people. By attacking these
landmarks, Daesh lashed out at the French capital, known worldwide as a symbol of liberty and culture. The
events of Friday 13th created a wave of solidarity around the world and dozens
of countries have paid homage to France and supported the French in their
grieving.
In response to the French position
in Syria and its air attacks on Islamic State targets, terrorists aiming to weaken the nation’s determination created a climate of
fear to destabilize the population and the government. Indeed, the Friday night
massacre was a way to attack not only French President François Hollande and
his policies in Syria, Irak and Mali but also whole of the French society which
is already weakened, unstable and divided by social inequalities and cultural
differences. One of the real dangers now is that ethnic communities across
France will give in to fear and paranoia and tear each other apart.
State
of emergency led to death of terrorist leader
Following the terrorist attacks, François Hollande decreed a
state of emergency to facilitate searches and the arrest of terrorists. On
Monday, November 16th, a foreign intelligence source reported that Abdelhamid
Abaaoud, the presumed head of the suicide bombers, was in France. Thanks to
this tip and other elements, the police tracked down Hasna Aït Boulahcen,
Abaaoud’s cousin, in Saint-Denis.
At 4 a.m., on
Wednesday, November 18th, after a day of monitoring Hasna’s flat, police forces launched
a raid. Over 100 police officers were involved in the 7-hour assault, firing
over 5000 rounds of ammunition. Eight terrorists were arrested and two died,
including a woman who set off her explosive belt to escape from police. A
second corpse, that of Abdelhamid Abaaoud, was identified by
fingerprints and salivary tests.
Although this operation was a success, the presence of this man on French soil
raises questions about the efficiency of border control and highlights flaws in
national security.
Between security and infringement
of liberties
Despite Abdelhamid Abaaoud’s death, the terrorist threat hasn’t
been eliminated and the French government has extended the state of emergency
until February 2016. But the measures taken to avoid another attack and ensure
national security represent a danger for civil liberties.
First, a new law authorizes police
officers to carry their guns even when they aren’t on duty. The
law also reinforces surveillance measures around potential suspects
with, for exemple, the extension of house arrests, internet monitoring, the
creation of deradicalization centers and the reinforcement of
administrative searches. Since the attacks, large public meetings
have been forbidden and the government may extend this ban until February 2016, shutting down any association which could create a public disorder.
While the French people rose up when
Daesh attacked their freedom, they now seem controlled by fear. It has forced
them to accept the limitation of their liberties in the name of national
security. Yet, it is essential to be aware of the dangers of a Police State
where all the power is given to the executive and where the distinction between
the State and the Army disappears. Security should never impinge on civil
liberties. People should focus on the essential identity of France, with its
festive spirit and the flavor of freedom. This is the real fight against Daesh
: it is an ideological war in which people mustn’t capitulate because of fear and anger.
Karkarashvili Mariam and Peyret Mathilde
http://www.slate.fr/story/109911/terreur-11-septembre-13-novembre
http://www.liberation.fr/france/2015/11/14/attaques-a-paris-ce-que-l-on-sait-samedi-matin_1413382
http://www.liberation.fr/france/2015/11/18/assaut-a-saint-denis-si-tu-leves-une-main-je-tire_1414556
http://www.rtl.fr/actu/societe-faits-divers/attentats-a-paris-comment-la-france-a-remonte-la-piste-abdelhamid-abaaoud-7780573718
http://www.liberation.fr/france/2015/11/19/les-policiers-armes_1414793
http://www.liberation.fr/france/2015/11/19/une-liberte-attaquee-par-l-ennemi-et-restreinte-par-l-etat_1414769
