Cheers pour in for Macron as French Parliament passes Anti-Radicalisation Bill
- In Current Affairs
- 10:59 PM, Feb 20, 2021
- Myind Staff
Appreciation from all corners of France in specific and the world in general have started pouring in lauding the bold move of the French President Emmanuel Macron.
This development comes following months of controversy, and over 130 hours of parliamentary debate. The MPs in France finally approved a draft law aimed at cracking down on what French lawmakers have branded 'Islamist separatism.' This anti-radicalism bill was passed by 347 votes to 151 in the French parliament's lower house where President Emmanuel Macron's ruling party and allies have a majority.
This legislation is now set to be reviewed by the Senate on March 30.
The passage of the draft bill, officially named “reinforcing republican principles,” comes as a retaliatory follow-up of the surging Islamist militant attacks that struck France in recent years. With the country entering into presidential elections in the coming year, protecting the French secular identity and domestic security has been highlighted in the bill as the two biggest issues.
In a nutshell, the key highlights of the bill are as follows:
- Homeschooling will now be allowed to continue but parents will now be required to obtain permission from authorities.
- Authorities reserve the right to restrict approval.
- Every homeschooled child will be issued with a national identification number much like every pupil undergoing formal schooling.
- The law will criminalise the act of disseminating any information about an individual's private, family or professional life that endangers their lives.
- The crime will attract a three-year jail sentence along with a fine of up to 45,000 Euros
- The bill also aims to drastically increase oversight across religious institutions, especially concerning financing.
- Religious groups will be required to disclose any donations from abroad in excess of 10,000 euros.
- Local authorities will also be entrusted with greater powers to temporarily shut down any place of worship where “the remarks that are made, the ideas or theories that are disseminated or the activities that take place cause discrimination, hatred or violence."
- The Bill will also provide the government with more power to intervene against religious associations.
- Religious groups that apply for state subsidies will be forced to sign a pledge to respect the Republic's values. Failure to adhere to this contract will make them complacent to return any funding received.
- Medical practitioners will be banned from providing 'virginity certificates,' sometimes demanded of women prior to marriage.
- There will be a severe crackdown on forced marriages and polygamy.
- The Bill also states that any person or entity, including those employed by private companies representing the state or providing state services, will be required to “ensure respect for the principles of secularism and neutrality of public service."
- Any involvement of exemptions based on religious beliefs will result in a penalty of a five-year prison term and a fine of 75,000 Euros.
Image courtesy: Republic World
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. MyIndMakers is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of MyindMakers and it does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
Comments