LETTERS OF PROTEST

En Français

May 16, 2001

Marylise Lebranchu
Ministere de la Justice
13 place Vendome
75042 Paris Cedex 01

Dear Ms. Lebranchu,

The About-Picard legislation that the Senate passed on May 3 and which is now headed for the National Assembly is a witchhunters’ charter. It smoothly and rapidly subverts both your national Constitution and human rights.

While you have said that the French government supports the bill, there is no possibility that it could survive scrutiny at the European Court of Human Rights. Religious leaders and human rights organizations all over the world have condemned it. And, the Council of Europe is investigating it.

Instead of attacking churches, the government should form a commission to inquire into the abuses of human rights by the modern-day inquisitors behind the bill. Testimony before panels of religious leaders and scholars has shown that they are responsible for false statements calculated to incite hatred and harm, for persuading the public to despise targeted groups, and for releasing false statements and falsified records which seek and urge police action against innocent people.

This bill is designed to punish people for having ideas. And, I am not the only one who says so. “Aid to the Church in Need”, the international Catholic charity, has accused the French government of punishing thought with this bill, and of introducing a “secular humanist Inquisition.”

Nothing will ever stop Scientologists and members of other faiths from believing in their religions. History will judge your actions. And, no matter what you may do, Scientologists will continue to help others to improve their lives and to strive towards our goal of creating a better world.

Sincerely,

Leisa Goodman
Human Rights Director

cc: Members of the National Assembly