Print this page Curfews stay in riot suburbs From correspondents in Paris 10dec05 FRANCE'S highest court, the Conseil d'Etat, has rejected a challenge to the state of emergency imposed by the government to quell rioting that raged for three weeks in October and November, and which remains in force. The judge hearing the matter, Bruno Genevois, upheld the continuation of the emergency powers, accepting the interior ministry's argument that troubles could erupt again during end-of-year festivities. While acknowledging that "the circumstances that justified the state of emergency's declaration have clearly changed," he said the suddenness of the riots and the "possible risks of a return to violence" during New Year's celebrations meant the exceptional law should remain. The ongoing state of emergency had been challenged by a group of 70 lawyers who said it was no longer needed as the unrest had ceased. The tough law was brought in as a response to nightly riots that flared in impoverished suburbs across France between October 27 and November 16 after the death of two teenagers hiding from police in an electrical sub-station. Initially imposed by Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin's government on November 8, it was subsequently extended by parliament and is due to end February 21. The law's articles permit local authorities in at-risk areas to impose curfews and restrict traffic, and broaden police search-and-seizure powers.
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