On Wednesday, the French Senate banned prayers at university corridors through an amendment to a controversial bill that President Emmanuel Macron’s government introduced last year. The proposal is part of an ‘anti-separatism’ bill introduced to combat so-called ‘Islamist separatism.’
Earlier this year on February 16, the bill was approved by France’s National Assembly which was then sent to the Senate for debate on March 30. In the Senate, the center-right Republicans (LR) party proposed the introduction of a clause prohibiting prayers and any religious activities that might hinder educational activities in universities. Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer and the left Party senators objected to the proposal which, however, was accepted through the votes of the right-wing senators.
As per Macron’s government, the bill is designed to emphasize the country’s secular system. On the other hand, critics and other political experts are accusing the French president of attempting to pander to right-wing voters. They criticized President Macron for using the law to thwart divisive rhetoric. President Emmanuel Macron faces competition from the far-right ahead of next year’s presidential elections and they see it as a populist movement.
The bill permits intervening in religious places of Muslims and their administration as well as controls the finances of associations and non-governmental organizations belonging to Muslims. It also checks the education choices of the Muslim community and prevents families from giving children a home education.
Along with educational bans, the bill also prohibits patients from choosing doctors based on gender for religious or other reasons and makes “secularism education” compulsory for all public offices.
Human rights group Amnesty International’s Europe researcher Marco Parolini warned that the new regulations would be a serious attack on rights and freedoms in France.
“We have seen the French authorities use the vague and ill-defined concept of radicalization or radical Islam to justify the imposition of measures without valid grounds, which risks leading to discrimination in its application against Muslims and other groups. This stigmatization must end.”
France had announced the anti-Muslim bill after the gruesome killing of a French teacher in October last year by an 18-year-old suspect of Chechen origin. “Supporting Republican Principles,” directly mentions neither Islam nor Islamism in an effort to avoid stigmatizing Muslims.
The bill is, however, being criticized as it clearly targets the Muslim community and imposes restrictions on almost every aspect of their lives. After Senate’s approval, it is expected to return to the National Assembly for further proceedings.
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