Paris attacks: French MPs back stripping of citizenship

  10 February 2016    Read: 1054
Paris attacks: French MPs back stripping of citizenship
French MPs have narrowly approved the first stage of a proposal to enable people convicted of terrorism offences to be stripped of their nationality.
The measure is the most controversial change to the constitution drawn up after the 13 November attacks in Paris.

France`s National Assembly is due to vote on Wednesday on all the measures proposed by the government.

Emergency powers currently in force would be given a new status under the constitution.

The proposal to strip citizenship from offenders was carried by a margin of 162 to 148, after the government removed a reference to dual nationals born in France. That had aroused considerable opposition and prompted the resignation of Justice Minister Christiane Taubira.

If the overall package is approved in Wednesday`s formal session, it will then go to the Senate. It will then require approval from a joint session of parliament by a three-fifths majority, a process likely to take weeks.

President Francois Hollande outlined the changes in the aftermath of the gun and bomb attacks by Islamist militants who targeted a concert hall, a major stadium, restaurants and bars - leaving 130 people dead and hundreds more wounded.

But elements have been vociferously opposed by leading figures, including members of his own Socialist party.

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