Testimony by
The Reverend N. J. L'Heureux, Jr.
Executive Director, Queens Federation of Churches
Moderator, Committee on Religious Liberty of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
June 14, 2000

House International Relations Committee:
The Treatment of Religious Minorities in Western Europe

(cont...)

The bill proclaims its discriminatory intent in the title, “Law Proposal Aimed at Reinforcing the Prevention and the Repression of Groups with Sectarian Character.” This legislation would provide for the ready dissolution of religious minorities where there has been one or more criminal convictions against the organization or its principals. It prohibits religious minorities from proselytizing within 100 meters of hospitals, retirement homes, public or private institutions, or schools. The proposed law also introduces a new criminal offense of “mental manipulation,” which is defined in a manner bereft of academic or scientific merit, and could be used to dissolve any political, religious or cultural organization. And once dissolved, under the proposed law, it would be a criminal offense to attempt to reincorporate the organization.

Scholars from psychology, sociology and religious studies have articulated an almost unanimous consensus that such “mental manipulation” and “brainwashing” theories are groundless. Yet, these studies are ignored by the drafters of this bill in favor of popular ignorance and prejudice, and for committing this non-existent “crime” the offender would be penalized with two years imprisonment and fine of 200,000 French francs – a penalty that applies to corporations as well as individuals.

This proposed law is essentially the product of the hysteria about minority faiths brought about by MILS and its president, Alain Vivien. In its annual report published in February, Mr. Vivien urged that certain movements should be disbanded and be forbidden to reincorporate. In that report, MILS advocated a law proposal by a French Senator which had already passed the Senate and was expected then to come before the National Assembly during the year 2000. The unconstitutional character of that bill, however, provoked some discussion even in France, and it appears that the result is a cosmetized but even more anti-democratic proposal which is due for a vote in eight days.

Mr. Chairman, I urge you to make the strongest possible representations to the French government that should this law pass, it will place in question France’s commitment to the Helsinki Accords. Such a law would be a cancer on French democracy, violating the French Constitution, the European Convention on Human Rights and the various human rights declarations and treaties to which France is a signatory. Only by sending a strong and unmistakable signal of Congress’s intent to take firm measures against violations of international human rights codes will we succeed in halting these reverses for religious freedom in Europe.

Thank you very much for hearing my testimony, and I will be happy to answer any questions.

Signors of the series of three ads
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