Europe

Racism increases in France: 2013 report

357129_France-racism

France’s annual report on racism has revealed a dramatic rise in intolerance among the French people, Press TV reports.

A report for 2013, based on survey results by the French institute conducting opinion polls BVA, showed that nearly 35 percent of French respondents admitted to being “a little” or “quite” racist, compared to 29 percent in 2012.

The poll also showed that the most vulnerable races to discrimination in the society are the Roma and Arab Muslim minorities, with 87 percent of respondents considering them as “separate groups in French society.”

The growing anti-immigration sentiments have raised concerns among anti-racism groups.

“Muslims are used as weapons of mass diversion by French politicians who intend to distract the public from real problems, including the economic crisis, high unemployment rates, and poverty in the country,” anti-racism activist Abdelaziz Chaambi told Press TV.

He went on to say that French people continue to look at all Muslims as immigrants, even if they are the second or third generation of a Muslim family in France.

This reflects a widespread colonial mentality, particularly among politicians, he added.

The annual report comes as last week’s local elections showed an increase in support for the far-right anti-immigration National Front Party.

France is home to the largest Muslim population in Western Europe. About 10 percent of the 62 million people living in France are Muslim.

In 2004, France banned Muslims from wearing headscarves at state schools and outlawed Muslim headscarves for volunteer school monitors in 2012.

Last December, France’s Council of State, which advises the government on disputed administrative issues, said the government overstepped the law requiring religious neutrality in schools.

French Minister of Education Vincent Peillon, however, ignored the legal advice from the council, saying the ban on hijab for Muslim volunteers will be maintained in school trips.

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