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France’s draft law against ‘Islamism’

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December 11, 2020

Why in news?

The French cabinet presented a draft law that targets “radical Islamism” (although the word “Islamist” is not part of the text).

What is the proposed rationale?

  • The Bill is called as a law “to reinforce Republican principles”.
  • Prime Minister Jean Castex has said it is “not a text against religion, nor against the Muslim religion”.
  • It is rather said to be against radical Islamism the objective of which is “to divide French people from one another.”
  • At home, French President Emmanuel Macron largely enjoys the support of a French electorate that has hardened its position on terrorism.
  • In a recent nationwide survey, 79% of respondents agreed that “Islamism is at war with France”.
  • The Bill comes in the wake of a series of terror attacks in recent years.
  • Although it was under consideration for some time, the law is being seen as a response to the October 2020 beheading of school teacher Samuel Paty.

What does the proposed law aim to do?

  • It envisages a range of measures including -
  1. school education reforms to ensure Muslim children do not drop out
  2. stricter controls on mosques and preachers
  3. rules against hate campaigns online
  • Once the law comes into force, French mosques could see increased surveillance of their activities, such as financing.
  • The government would be able to exercise supervision over the training of imams.
  • It could have greater powers to shut down places of worship receiving public subsidies if they go against “republican principles” such as gender equality.
  • Moderate community leaders targeted by an extremist “putsch” (a coup) could receive protection.
  • Under French secularism laws, or laïcité, there is already a ban on state employees displaying religious symbols that are “conspicuous”, such as the crucifix or hijab.
    • This ban would now be extended beyond government bodies to any sub-contracted public service.
  • There would also be a clampdown on home-schooling for children over age three.
    • Parents will thus be dissuaded from enrolling them in underground Islamic structures.
  • Couples would be interviewed separately by city hall officials prior to their wedding to find out if they have been forced into marriage.
  • Officials would be banned from granting residency permits to polygamous applicants.
  • Doctors who issue “virginity certificates” would be fined or jailed.
  • Stricter punishments would be introduced for online hate speech.
    • This is seen as a direct response to the killing of Paty, who was targeted in an online campaign before he was killed.

What has the response been?

  • The proposed law has raised concerns that it could stigmatise France’s Muslim community, the largest in Europe.
  • The sharpest criticism of the Bill has come from abroad.
  • Turkish President Recep Erdogan has been strongly criticising French President Emmanuel Macron in recent months.
    • He has called the proposed law an “open provocation”.
  • The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Egypt’s top cleric, has called Macron’s views “racist”.
  • Critics have expressed alarm that the Bill could lead to the merger of the Islamic religion with Islamism, a political movement.
  • This might lead to the alienation of French Muslims.
  • Nevertheless, there have been members of the community who have come out in support of the law.

Why is it significant politically?

  • Macron faces re-election in 2022.
  • So, seemingly, he is appealing to France’s right-wing voters after facing a series of electoral losses in 2020.
  • Macron, who describes his politics as “neither right nor left” [he was with the Socialist Party until 2009] faces a challenge from right-wing politician Marine Le Pen.
  • The President has also been facing protests over a proposed “global security” legislation.

 

Source: The Indian Express

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