The Request for Suspension

The Council of State is set to examine a request for the suspension of the dissolution of the environmental collective, Soulèvements de la Terre (SLT).

The French government announced its intention to dissolve the movement on March 28th, following violent clashes between police and opponents of water retention projects in Sainte-Soline.

The government accuses the SLT of inciting violence and participating in it.

The highest administrative court in France, the Council of State, will consider the urgent request for suspension on Tuesday.

The court will later examine the legality of the dissolution decree in a substantive hearing.

Challenging the Dissolution

The SLT has filed two requests with the Council of State, one for an urgent suspension of the dissolution and another for a substantive review of the decision.

The first request is being examined on Tuesday.

The collective argues that the dissolution infringes on their freedom of association, freedom of expression, and violates articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

They contest the government's characterization of them as a "groupement de fait" (informal group) and assert that they are a movement without leaders or identified members.

They also claim that the rights of defense were violated during the dissolution procedure, with insufficient time given for a response and the introduction of new elements without proper communication.

Opposition and Denial

The government's decision to dissolve the SLT was met with opposition from several associations, political parties, and hundreds of individuals who have joined the collective's legal challenge.

The SLT argues that the allegations against them are unfounded or inaccurately attributed to the movement as a whole.

They deny inciting violence and argue that the acts of sabotage and property damage they are accused of do not endanger lives.

They see the dissolution as an attack on freedom of expression and association.

The Council of State's Decision

The Council of State's decision on the request for suspension is expected to be announced after the hearing.

This legal battle marks the first time that a politically-oriented ecological movement has faced dissolution in France.

The majority of dissolution procedures in recent years have targeted far-right groups or Islamist movements.

While most challenges to dissolution decisions have been rejected, in May 2022, the Council of State suspended the dissolution of the Antifascist Group Lyon and Surroundings (Gale) in an urgent ruling, stating that the government's evidence did not prove incitement to violence or serious disruption of public order.

Implications and Questions

The outcome of the Council of State's examination will have significant implications for the future of the SLT and the broader environmental movement in France.

The decision will determine whether the government's dissolution decree will be suspended pending further review or if the collective will be permanently dissolved.

The case raises important questions about the balance between freedom of expression and the government's authority to maintain public order.

It also highlights the growing tensions between environmental activists and the government over controversial development projects.

Words of the day

dissolution : dissolution

government : gouvernement