TRAMPLING CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS

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A comparison of the French Constitution and human rights laws with statements by “anti-sect” extremists.

The Constitution declares France to be a secular republic and protects the right to equal treatment of all citizens under the law. France has also ratified international human rights treaties which protect the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

And yet France has now passed a law of exception that violates both the Constitution and France’s obligations under international human rights laws—the About-Picard bill. The law was written by French Senator Nicolas About and member of parliament Catherine Picard. It has been supported by Alain Vivien, President of the French government’s “Interministerial Mission to Fight Against Sects” and MP Jean-Pierre Brard.

The bill, unthinkable a few years ago, is the product of hysteria fanned by a handful of extremists.

It is instructive to compare statements by those who have lobbied over the years for the legislation that has now taken shape as the About-Picard bill with the Constitution, human rights laws, and statements by respected international human rights bodies.

We invite you to form your own opinion whether the authors of these statements ought to determine the destiny of France:

COMPARISON 1:

The Constitution:

Article 1, French Constitution:

“France shall be an indivisible, secular democratic and social republic. It shall ensure the equality of all citizens before the law, without distinction of origin, race, or religion. It shall respect all beliefs.”

Statement:

Alain Vivien, president of the Interministerial Mission to Combat Sects:

“... this [proselytization] should be the very field legislators should regulate.” (Reforme, November 19, 1998).

“We believe that the state must be interested in unhindered activity and flourishing of traditional, culture-founding religions, professed by the majority of the population, and in giving a support and help to them.” (“A Final Document of an International Conference: ‘Totalitarian Cults—Threat of 21st Century’”, signed unanimously by 201 participants at the conference, including Vivien. April 2001)

COMPARISON 2

The Constitution:

Declaration of the Rights of Man:

“No one ought to be disturbed on account of his opinions, even religious, provided their manifestation does not derange the public order established by law.”

Statement:

Jean Pierre Brard, vice president of the 1996 Parliamentary Commission on Sects:

“We need an anti-cult law modelled after the 1936 law against factious leagues. The new text would recommend banning cults, plain and simple.” (93 Hebdo 8/14 August 1997)