France’s draft law against ‘Islamism’

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?

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