France's justice minister said on Monday that he was "resolutely opposed" to a bill aimed at removing "apology for terrorism" from the criminal code, a move that has attracted condemnation across the political spectrum.
The hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) proposal aims to axe a provision criminalising acts defending or positively portraying terrorist acts from the country's penal code.
The law was part of an 1881 press law until it was added to the criminal code in 2014, as France saw a stream of its citizens travelling to Syria to fight alongside the Islamic State jihadist group.
"I don't understand how we can let our guard down in the face of the threat of terrorism, which is very present today," Justice Minister Didier Migaud told France 2 television.
"Freedom of expression has never allowed everything. There are limits," he added.
But for LFI, the "apology for terrorism" offence does not belong in France's penal code.
The text introduced by LFI lawmaker Ugo Bernalicis argued that the 1881 law -- which covers apology for crime, war crimes and crimes against humanity -- is sufficient.
France Unbowed wants to put the offence "back in the right place", parliamentary party leader Mathilde Panot said Sunday.
Panot and an LFI representative in the European Parliament, Rima Hassan, were investigated for "apology for terrorism" in April over a statement about the conflict between Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip.
LFI figures have repeatedly been accused of anti-Semitism and backing Hamas, which is designated as a terror group by the EU and US, after its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The party has denied the charges.
The proposal is getting pushback from both sides of the political divide, with Socialist party boss Olivier Faure and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau criticising the bill.
Faure said while it is "imperative to protect civil liberties", France must also "protect the French people from fanaticism and calls for violence and hatred".
Staunch conservative Retailleau called the LFI proposal "unspeakable" and said the political left should "dissociate" itself from France Unbowed.
For his part, Migaud said, "apology makes it possible to justify and excuse... a terrorist act", adding that this "must be fought with the greatest force".