The Nice administrative court rejected, Thursday October 29, the appeal by the Human Rights League against the municipal order regulating gatherings around Cap3000. The restrictions remain in force until November 2 on nine roads in the area. The mayor of Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Joseph Segura, claims it is a preventive measure against the risks of public disorder.
The ban on gatherings around the Cap3000 shopping center remains in force. On Thursday October 29, the Nice administrative court rejected the suspension request filed by the Human Rights League against the order issued on October 20 by Joseph Segura, mayor of Saint-Laurent-du-Var.
The text prohibits static gatherings from October 24 to November 2, between noon and midnight, on nine roads in the area. The municipality justifies this decision by the need to prevent potential public disorder, following violence and vandalism that occurred in Nice.
The Human Rights League contested the restrictions
Called upon in an expedited proceeding, the administrative court dismissed the request for suspension, whether total or partial. To justify its decision, the judge examined in particular the wording of the order, the scope of the restrictions and the documents produced by the municipality. The ruling considers that “none of the arguments raised was such, in the current state of the investigation, to create a serious doubt as to the legality of the decision being challenged.”
The Human Rights League denounced a restriction likely to infringe on public freedoms. “You cannot start arbitrarily repressing all comings and goings, that’s the fundamental problem,” said Henri Busquet, section secretary in Nice for the organization.
The rejection of the appeal allows the municipality to maintain its measures until November 2. The judge’s decision on the expedited proceeding concerns the request to suspend the order.
Joseph Segura defends a preventive measure
After the court’s decision, the mayor of Saint-Laurent-du-Var reaffirmed his position. “Protecting the residents of Laurent is my duty. I stand by it.” Joseph Segura says he respects the court’s decision and the right to contest it, while maintaining the objectives of his order. “Faced with tensions and reports from our services, I chose to act before the worst happens. A mayor cannot wait for damage to be done. He must anticipate, prevent, protect,” declares the elected official.
Joseph Segura presents the text as a measure limited in time and space, which would not target any particular group. The stated objective is to enable residents, employees and traders to visit the Cap3000 area without fear of disorder. “This order does not target anyone in particular. It is limited in time and space, and it guarantees families, employees, traders and all visitors the right to move about and enjoy Cap 3000 with complete peace of mind. Daily peace and quiet is a legitimate expectation of our fellow citizens and an essential responsibility of the mayor,” affirms the official.
The mayor thus opposes his responsibility for security to criticism regarding public freedoms. “Firmness does not mean arbitrariness. Respect for freedoms does not mean inaction. Public freedoms are fundamental, and the security of those who exercise them is equally so,” continues Joseph Segura.
The order therefore remains applicable until November 2, according to the procedures provided for by the municipality. The rejection of the suspension request allows the maintenance of the restrictions challenged by the Human Rights League.
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