Council of Europe cautions France over increase in xenophobic, hateful rhetoric

Experts from the Council of Europe (CoE) published a report Tuesday expressing concern over increasing hate speech, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in France.

"I commend the significant efforts made by the French authorities to combat racism and intolerance. However, hate speech, which has become commonplace in the public sphere, remains a matter of concern. I call on political leaders in particular to refrain from making comments which stigmatize already vulnerable groups and fuel tensions in French society," said CoE Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland.

The report, which is the result of work by experts in the CoE's European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), is based on data from the French Ministry of the Interior.

According to the ministry, violence associated with racist prejudices has risen by 14 percent between 2012 and 2014, 36 percent of which is related to anti-Semitism.

The findings sound the alarm on the persistence of Islamophobic speech, especially from the leader of the French far right Marine Le Pen, for whom a presidential candidacy in 2017 is considered highly likely.

The president of the Front National party (FN) has notably provoked an outcry after comparing Muslim prayer in the streets with the German occupation of France during World War II.

The ECRI also highlighted the words of a close ally of Nicolas Sarkozy, the mayor of Meaux (close to Paris) Jean-Francois Cope, who described Muslim "thugs" who would tear a pastry from the hands of a child because "one doesn't eat during Ramadan."

The Commission deplored that decisions taken "in the name of a restrictive conception of secularism" -- a principle written into the French Constitution -- can be "perceived as the sources of discrimination," citing the speech made by a mayor last year in favor of the elimination of "non-pork" school cafeteria menus.

"Although it was drafted before the November 2015 attacks in Paris, the report contains recommendations to the French authorities which are fully relevant today," said ECRI President Christian Ahlund.

The ECRI flagged up budget cuts for integration policies, as well as ongoing holes in the penal system in regards to hate speech.

European experts ask as well that authorities "clarify" the regulations concerning the accompaniment for school trips by students' mothers who wear veils, another subject of debate in France.

The ECRI invited French political leaders to agree to administrative "domiciliation" to Roma people, even if they lack a stable residence, in order to avoid obstruction of their "basic rights," especially school enrolment for their children.

The CoE experts pointed out the strong rise in hate speech on the Internet and on social networks "despite the efforts of authorities to curb the phenomenon."

The ECRI regularly prepares reports and issues recommendations to the 47 member states of the Council of Europe. Endit