NATIONAL SECURITY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS: LESSONS FROM FRANCE

Against the backdrop of intense scrutiny of the part played by European States in the CIA programme of extraordinary rendition, this article considers the wider question of accountability of intelligence services in protecting national security with particular reference to France. Noting that France was never directly implicated in the CIA programme, it documents how France has nonetheless been actively involved in counterterrorism initiatives, including with the US, in the aftermath of 9/11. Outlining French law on State liability, the article goes on to argue that despite the latter's ostensibly wide scope, oversight of the French intelligence services by the executive, Parliament, and independent bodies, has been gradually enhanced in recent years.