Criminalizing Free Speech: The “Pfizer Article”
A Quick Note about France’s Big Brother Moment
A bitterly divided French National Assembly last week voted to approve sweeping legislation titled The Bill To Strengthen The Fight Against Sectarian Excesses And Improve The Support Of Victims. Article 4, derisively dubbed the “Pfizer Article” by critics, is the most controversial. It creates a new crime punishable by 1 to 3 years in prison and fines of €15,000 to €45,000 for speech or actions that causes others to “abandon medical care.”
Article 4 almost did not make it into the act. It was the subject of heated debate. It was removed from the bill, then reinstated, initially defeated, then amended, and finally passed by a small margin.
What constitutes criminal behavior under Article 4? This is its text.
( Article) - Provocation to abandon or abstain from therapeutic or prophylactic medical treatment shall be puni…
