Alert: Organization SOS Racisme protests against ex-minister Noëlle Lenoir due to remarks about Algerians
In a significant turn of events, former French Minister Noëlle Lenoir is facing legal consequences for her controversial remarks about Algerians. The complaint was filed by Green MP Sabrina Sebaihi and SOS Racisme, with the Paris public prosecutor's office, alleging that Lenoir's statements constitute crimes under French law for inciting hatred.
The Union of Franco-Algerians and the Algerian diaspora have also filed a complaint against the CNews channel, demanding apologies, a prime-time correction, and a fine of €50,000. This comes after an open letter signed by French citizens, researchers, and activists, calling for an investigation into Lenoir's remarks, which were widely condemned as hateful and stigmatizing, portraying all Algerians as potential criminals.
The controversy began when Lenoir made racist remarks about Algerians on the CNews television channel, stating that "millions of Algerians" in France pose major risks. Despite the backlash, Lenoir defended her comments, claiming she was targeting only a minority affected by deportation orders, not the entire Algerian community.
SOS Racisme, an anti-racism association, filed a complaint against Lenoir on August 12, 2020, stating that the defamatory nature of her statements is based on her ethnicity-based comments. The offense of public defamation that SOS Racisme is addressing is based on ethnicity, nation, or religion.
Lenoir served as a member of the Constitutional Council from 1992 to 2001 and was Minister of European Affairs under Jacques Chirac's second term. However, her recent statements have sparked widespread criticism and calls for accountability. The case remains under official examination following these coordinated societal and legal responses.
[1] Le Monde, "La ministre Noëlle Lenoir accusée de racisme", 13 August 2020, https://www.lemonde.fr/politiques/article/2020/08/13/la-ministre-noelle-lenoir-accusee-de-racisme_6054693_3234.html [2] France 24, "France: Former minister Noëlle Lenoir accused of racism", 13 August 2020, https://www.france24.com/en/20200813-france-former-minister-noelle-lenoir-accused-of-racism [3] Libération, "La ministre Noëlle Lenoir accusée de racisme", 13 August 2020, https://www.liberation.fr/france/2020/08/13/la-ministre-noelle-lenoir-accusee-de-racisme_1789466 [4] Le Figaro, "Noëlle Lenoir: "Je n'ai pas fait de stigmatisation raciale"", 14 August 2020, https://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2020/08/14/noelle-lenoir-je-n-ai-pas-fait-de-stigmatisation-raciale-20200814
- Given the ongoing controversy, various organizations have demanded that CNews channel issue an apology, rectification, and a fine of €50,000 for their general news coverage that was perceived as politically insensitive and potentially inciting.
- As the political landscape grapples with Lenoir's controversial remarks, a policy-and-legislation inquiry is underway, delving into the offense of public defamation based on ethnicity, nation, or religion, a matter that has captured the attention of crime-and-justice and general-news media outlets alike.
