The present document of Human Rights Watch (HRW) elaborates on counterterrorism laws of France. Central to this preemptive approach is the offense of “criminal association in relation to a terrorist undertaking”, which allows the authorities to intervene with the aim of preventing terrorism well before the commission of a crime. HRW concludes that in practice, French counterterrorism laws and procedures undermine the right of those facing charges of terrorism to a fair trial. HRW refers to the Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers as a valuable source of the right to counsel.