Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on France’s newly appointed Prime Minister Michel Barnier to prioritize human rights within his national and international agendas. In a letter addressed to Barnier, HRW emphasized the need to address issues of discrimination, intolerance, and the rights of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees.
The appeal comes on the heels of the 2024 French parliamentary elections, which were characterized by a surge in racist and xenophobic rhetoric and heightened political polarization. A report from the French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) reveals a concerning increase in racism and intolerance for the second consecutive year. Additionally, the 2023 Annual Activity Report by the Defender of Rights documented 137,894 complaints, marking a significant 10% increase from 2022. These complaints highlighted vulnerabilities in areas such as the rights of foreigners, social protection, security, and justice.
HRW’s recommendations included fostering a political and social climate that upholds the rule of law and ensuring protection for freedoms of expression, association, and assembly. The organization also criticized the practice of dissolving civil society organizations via ministerial decrees and urged for a fair and non-discriminatory approach to public subsidy administration.
In addressing discrimination and intolerance, HRW encouraged the French government to implement strong anti-racism policies and to invest in equality data to guide policy-making. Notably, HRW urged measures to secure the rights of migrants and refugees, such as supporting temporary emergency relocation initiatives during high intake periods.
On the international front, HRW recommended that France’s foreign partnerships with repressive governments should be contingent on demonstrable human rights improvements.
The advocacy group’s letter emphasizes the critical importance of embedding human rights within governmental policies in order to reverse current negative trends and advance social justice both domestically and internationally.
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