(4.2.2016) Amnesty International spoke to several people whose daily lives and human rights had been severely impacted by the state of emergency. Many interviewees did not understand why
those measures had been taken against them. They considered the measures as a punishment against them. A member of the association running a mosque in Aubervilliers (Paris region), which was searched on 16 November, said: “The search was very violent, for us it was a desecration, it hurt our feelings and it scared us […] The head of the mosque was also put in pre-charge detention afterwards…but no charges were pressed against any of us, there were no concrete elements. That’s the worst… If there were serious suspicions, they would have launched an investigation….but at the moment it’s like we’re being punished for nothing”.

Amnesty International interviewed many Muslims who believed that that the measures against them were motivated by their religious beliefs and practice.