Surveillance and Entrapment in Anti-Terrorism Measures: The Case of House Arrests in France

This paper explores the use of Individual Administrative Control and Surveillance Measures (MICAS) in France, focusing on the significant increase in their application during the summer of 2024 in response to security concerns surrounding the Olympic Games. Initially introduced in 2017 as a replacement for house arrest post-state of emergency, MICAS target individuals deemed a threat to public security. While some individuals have previous terrorism-related convictions, many targeted have no criminal record, with reasons for the MICAS often based on vague and minimal grounds, such as Muslim religious practices perceived as too intense, social connections, or unverified reports (Becker, 2020). These measures not only blur the lines between preventive policing and punitive action but also extend the reach of state surveillance beyond traditional legal boundaries (Alix, 2021).

The central argument of this paper is that the MICAS place individuals in a state of limbo: not only are they physically confined, unable to leave designated perimeters, but the measures can be indefinitely renewed, leaving individuals in a prolonged state of uncertainty. Moreover, these individuals are marked as permanent potential threats, knowing that any future major event could see them subjected once again to similar restrictive measures. The requirements to comply with MICAS are also extremely demanding, and any violation can lead to more severe prison sentences. This creates a cyclical entrapment, as individuals become recurring targets of state control without clear justification or due process.

This study is based on the examination of 19 MICAS case files and 10 semi-structured interviews conducted with individuals who have been subjected to these measures.

Alix, J. (2021). Répression administrative et répression pénale : l’émergence d’un continuum répressif. Savoir/Agir, 55, 41-48.

Becker, C. (2020). Mesures de surveillance administrative : de casse-tête en quiproquo, la réinsertion entravée. Dedans Dehors, 108, OIP.