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French human rights groups warn of soaring racism amid right-wing rise

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
29 Jun 2024 17:12

The decline in tolerance was found to be closely linked to a rejection of multiculturalism in France, with immigrants, especially Muslims, often portrayed in media as a "threat" to the nation.

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A protester holds an anti-far right banner showing the faces of French Presidents and the word 'Honte' or 'Shame' during a rally in Paris, Saturday, June 15, 2024. (AP)

Human rights organizations in France have raised serious concerns over a dramatic rise in racist sentiments within the country, attributing much of the blame to the right-wing National Rally (NR) party.

A recent survey conducted by the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) evaluates the NR's role in promoting nationalism through anti-immigration policies.

According to the CNCDH report released on Thursday, there has been a significant decline in the index of tolerance for the second consecutive year, a trend described as "substantial and rare."

The report noted that this decline is closely linked to a rejection of multiculturalism in France, with immigrants, especially Muslims, often portrayed in media as a "threat" to the nation.

Shockingly, more than half of those surveyed (51%) expressed feeling increasingly unwelcome in their own country, with 56% believing there are too many immigrants in France.

"For several years, the National Rally has benefited from an increased audience at the polls, but also in the media and institutions… there is a whole group of media figures and intellectuals who give voice and try to impose their ways of seeing immigration and diversity," the report stated.

In 2023 alone, the Ministry of the Interior recorded a staggering 8,500 racist crimes or offenses—a 32% increase from the previous year—with immigrants disproportionately affected.

CNCDH President Jean-Marie Burguburu condemned the scapegoating of immigrants for societal challenges as he stressed that intolerance and hate speech are on the rise despite France's overall high tolerance index.

The CNCDH report criticized the French government's role in fueling tensions, particularly during debates over recent asylum and immigration laws, which human rights groups have labeled as some of the most repressive in decades.

Against this backdrop, leaders of the National Rally, including Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, secured a commanding victory in the June 9 European elections, garnering 31.37% of the vote.

With snap legislative elections looming following President Emmanuel Macron's European election setback, the NR is expected to maintain its political momentum.

The CNCDH report serves as a stark reminder of the growing influence of anti-immigration rhetoric in French politics, with implications for the nation's social cohesion and international reputation.

French transport unions warn of strikes if National Rally wins

France's transport trade unions issued a stern warning on Friday, threatening to spark a strike should the right-wing National Rally (RN) party secure victory in the upcoming snap elections.

The RN, led by Marine Le Pen, gained significant ground in the European Parliament elections in France, surpassing President Emmanuel Macron's centrist coalition by more than 15 percentage points.

Now, with the RN set to participate in the two-round snap elections for the French parliament's lower house scheduled on June 30 and July 7, tensions have escalated.

Solidaires, a prominent trade union, has mobilized workers of the RATP Group (formerly Parisian Autonomous Transport Administration) to prepare for strike action if Le Pen's party secures an absolute majority in parliament.

Solidaires has labeled Le Pen as an "enemy to workers" who they believe fuels divisions within the country.