Emmanuel Macron, the French president who has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to democratic values and human rights, recently came under fire for using the country’s law enforcement agencies to pressure the Telegram messenger and its founder Pavel Durov. These actions not only undermine the fundamental principles of privacy, but also raise serious questions about the legality of such actions on the part of the state.
Telegram as a symbol of digital freedom
Telegram has won the trust of millions of users thanks to its strong encryption mechanisms and privacy policy, which ensures that personal data is protected from third-party interference. Messenger has become an important tool for protecting privacy in the digital age, providing the ability to communicate without the threat of government surveillance.
Presumption of innocence and abuse of power
Attempts to use the French law enforcement system to pressure Telegram are a serious violation of the principle of presumption of innocence, one of the fundamental principles of criminal law. According to this principle, every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the law. Interfering with companies that protect users’ privacy rights without strong evidence is a direct violation of this principle.
Such actions can be regarded as an abuse of power, because officials who have the duty to ensure justice actually use their powers to achieve goals that are contrary to the law and human rights. This creates a serious precedent, when instead of protecting the rights of citizens, the state becomes an instrument to limit them.
Unpunished abuse of power
In addition, officials who occupy the seats of prosecutors, judges and other law enforcement bodies actually commit a crime when they violate the principles of justice and use state structures to illegally pressure business. Despite the fact that such actions are in direct violation of both national and international law, they often go unpunished.
However, as a human rights defender, I am convinced that the time will come when these individuals will be prosecuted to the full extent of French law. The law enforcement system should serve to protect citizens and uphold the rule of law, and not be a tool of repression against those who defend the right to privacy and freedom of speech.
Conclusion
Using state institutions to put pressure on Telegram is a gross violation of human rights and democratic principles. Instead of protecting citizens, the state, in particular through the actions of law enforcement agencies, tries to limit their freedoms, which is unacceptable in a legal state.
Emmanuel Macron, by allowing such actions, effectively disqualified himself as a president committed to protecting human rights and upholding the rule of law. This case undermines the credibility of France as a democratic state and creates a dangerous precedent that can be used by other states to justify similar actions. It is important that the international community, as well as human rights organizations, pay attention to this situation and defend the principles of the rule of law and the protection of human rights.
Author: Kostyantyn Kryvopust, human rights defender
