French National Assembly Vice-President Lodges Criminal Allegation for Incitement of Racial Discrimination
In a recent development, a far-right MP from the National Rally party was suspended for 15 days in November 2022, following a racist remark about Carlos Martens Bilongo, an LFI party member. This incident is not an isolated case, as it reflects a broader pattern of targeting black and minority lawmakers in France.
The controversial remark, made in a letter, denies Abomangoli's legitimacy as Vice-President of the National Assembly based on her skin color and gender. MP Abomangoli has since filed a complaint with the Paris public prosecutor. This comes after LFI MPs Carlos Martens Bilongo and Aly Diouara have reported frequent racist threats since being elected.
In a shocking turn of events, seven people will go on trial in December at the Paris criminal court in relation to the harassment of Aly Diouara online. The complaint letter, which arrived on July 11, contained "outrageous, openly racist and sexist remarks" aimed at Abomangoli. The comments are laden with xenophobic and misogynistic stereotypes.
This is not the first time such incidents have occurred in France. In 2013, a far-right French newspaper caused uproar with a headline comparing the then-justice minister Christiane Taubira to a monkey. The ultra-conservative magazine Valeurs Actuelles later published a fictional story portraying black MP Danièle Obono as a slave in 2020. Both incidents drew condemnation from across the political spectrum, including President Emmanuel Macron.
However, there is no specific, detailed public documentation about a distinct or systematic pattern of racist and sexist abuse specifically targeting left-wing MPs of color in France. While broader reporting and academic research suggest that politicians of color and women often face racist and sexist harassment, especially those whose views challenge established power structures, more focused investigation would be needed for a comprehensive understanding of this issue in the French left-wing parliamentary context.
In the meantime, efforts to combat racism and sexism in politics continue, with MPs such as Abomangoli and Diouara standing as strong advocates for change and justice. Their courage in speaking out against such hateful rhetoric and filing complaints serves as a reminder that such behavior will not be tolerated.
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, has publicly condemned racist and sexist incidents targeting left-wing MPs of color in France, such as the 2013 scenario involving Christiane Taubira and the 2020 incident involving Danièle Obono. Yet, there is a lack of specific, detailed public documentation on a systematic pattern of such abuse in French politics, particularly within the left-wing parliamentary context. In the ongoing struggle for justice, MPs like Abomangoli and Diouara continue to stand firmly against racism and sexism in business, politics, general-news, and international arenas, making their voices heard and combating hateful discourse.
