00:02France's Senate approved a bill on Wednesday that would make protesters
00:05financially responsible for damage caused during demonstrations.
00:10The Senate passed an expanded version of the bill by 229 votes to 105,
00:17backed by a right-wing and centrist alliance which holds a majority.
00:21The legislation now heads to the politically divided National Assembly for debate and a vote.
00:27Speaking in Parliament, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stressed the urgency of responding to the damage
00:34in scenes of chaos seen on October 17,
00:38saying that the vast majority should not be paying for the vandalism done by a minority.
00:44But rights groups warn the legislation could undermine the public's fundamental right to protest.
00:50The bill would also apply to those who voluntarily continued to take part
00:55in a gathering likely to disrupt public order after two police dispersal warnings.
01:01With penalties of up to €10,000 and possible welfare benefit seizures,
01:06left-wing lawmakers and human rights groups warn that the measures could push
01:11already marginalised families further into poverty.
