Marseille has reintroduced drone surveillance at its administrative detention center, following modifications made after a court ruling. The new order, signed on December 23, allows police border units to utilize drones over the Canet district center, located within the heart of the city.
This decision arrives just ten days after the Administrative Court of Marseille had annulled the previous surveillance order due to legal overreach. Following the court's judgment, the prefecture has tightly restricted the use of drones, limiting them to specific conditions intended to respect privacy and legal stipulations.
Under the new parameters, drone surveillance is now permitted for just four hours. The drones must operate at altitudes no lower than 60 meters, effectively preventing them from capturing images inside residential areas or the rooms of detainees. This adjustment came as part of the authorities’ efforts to comply with the court's ruling.
Rémi Bourdu, director of the prefecture of police, explained, “We have taken the judgment [of the court] very seriously; we are now operating within a different framework.” This new operational framework aims to continue addressing serious safety concerns surrounding the detention center.
The CRA houses around one hundred individuals awaiting expulsion. Local authorities have reported increasing risks at the facility, with Bourdu stating, “The population we host is not, let's say, 'the nice freedom fighters' some would like to depict, but individuals involved in crimes and radicalized profiles.” He highlighted the necessity of surveillance due to the complex situations occurring at the CRA.
Since July, there have been 20 escape attempts recorded, with six successful breaks. Authorities also indicated the risk of violent incidents, both among detainees and against staff. “There is also the potential for riots among detainees and attacks on staff,” Bourdu remarked, explaining the responsibility of the police to safeguard both the detainees and the surrounding community.
Despite the authorities' rationale for the drone’s return, the measure has been met with significant opposition. Various local advocacy groups and legal entities, including the Cimade and the Marseille Bar Association, have raised concerns about the privacy and ethical implications of deploying drones over urban areas.
Backed by these concerns, they previously challenged the use of drones at the CRA, leading to the temporary suspension of the initial authorization. The groups argue for the importance of maintaining civil liberties and contest the state’s approach to handling immigration-related detention.
With the new order now operational, there has been physical preparation at the site to deter object throws from outside, with nets installed over the courtyard to prevent drug parcels being dropped inside. This is regarded as interim security measure pending comprehensive improvements already planned.
Going forward, prefectural officials have indicated drone usage will be “occasionally and for small periods,” emphasizing their commitment to monitoring the situation rather than establishing continuous surveillance.
The reinstatement of drone surveillance rekindles debates about security, privacy, and the ethical dimensions of monitoring communities. While the state emphasizes the need for safety within the CRA, the opposition maintains their stance on civil rights protecting vulnerable groups.
For now, stakeholders—including authorities, advocacy groups, and local residents—remain closely watchful as the balance between security measures and personal freedoms continues to be tested within this complicated and contentious environment.
