PARIS (AP) Frances parliament is set to approve a security bill to extend police powers that has prompted criticism from civil rights activists who fear it would threaten efforts to denounce police abuse.
The definitive vote is scheduled for Thursday at the National Assembly, where French President Emmanuel Macrons party, which proposed the bill, has a large majority. The Senate has already adopted the bill.
In an effort to quell criticism, lawmakers have redrafted the most controversial article of the bill.
It now says helping identifying on-duty police officers with the obvious intent of harming'' will be punished by up to 5 years in prison and a 75,000 euro-fine ($89,800).
Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Paris in November to denounced the initial provision that was making it illegal to publish images of police officers with intent to cause them harm.
Opponents say the new draft still remains vague and subject to interpretation by police officers. They also fear it will have an impact on people trying to fight police abuse and discrimination by taking and publishing pictures and videos.
Macrons government said the law is needed to better protect police amid threats and attacks by a violent fringe and increasing harassment on social media.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on Thursday praised the compromise that lawmakers have found on the text. The bill also gives more autonomy to local police and extends the use of surveillance drones, amid other measures.
The French branch of Amnesty International warned on Twitter about the dangers to civil liberties and denounced generalized surveillance practices.
The text would write into the law vague provisions that could allow abusive and unfair legal proceedings," the rights group said.
