Hearing for François Bayrou in Bétharram case deemed a milestone, not the final decision, according to the affected parties
No Need to Overthink It: The Bétharram Affair deserves serious attention, not vennegeance. On Wednesday, May 14, François Bayrou, under scrutiny by the parliamentary inquiry committee investigating the Bétharram scandal, was just another step, according to the victims' collective representative. "We, the victims, are not interested in political game-playing. We firmly reject it," he stated at a press conference in Bordeaux, the town where the Prime Minister resides.
: DIRECT. Bétharram Affair: "There's a Prime Minister playing diversion games", alleges MP Alexis Corbière Bayrou's presence at the hearing is not the heart of the issue for the collective — he's part of a chain of responsibility. Alain Esquerre voiced his opinion that "there's a collective responsibility." The collective demands "significant statements" regarding child protection. Esquerre points out that none of the promises made by Bayrou on February 15 have been delivered, except for a plan that tightens controls in private institutions.
The collective insists on "enhanced tools for justice," "an evolution of the law on the expiration of sexual crimes committed against children," and even "the establishment of a structure driven by victims, for victims."
Frustration runs deep among the victims, due in part to years of spoken but unheard warnings, and even blame placed upon them for the violence endured[1]. The victims' stance on Bayrou, a critical political figure linked to the scandal, is sharply critical. Bayrou, as the current Prime Minister of France, former mayor of Pau (the location of the school), and a past Minister of Education, is accused of awareness of the abuse but inaction. The scandal gained increased political heat when investigative journalism exposed Bayrou's family ties to the school, including his eldest daughter's claim of abuse at Bétharram. The victims and advocacy groups view Bayrou's role with suspicion and frustration, in part due to perceived political cover-ups and inadequate responses during his tenure[2][3].
Empowered by support from groups like Mouv’Enfants, the victims have organized themselves to demand the truth, justice, and systemic reform. They expect the parliamentary inquiry and ongoing investigations to lead to tangible progress, including platforms for victims to be heard and protection measures shattering the institutional culture of silence. The recent hearing of Bayrou before the Assemblée Nationale underscores the scandal's political sensitivity, though it has not entirely clarified his or the state's responsibility, reinforcing the victims' call for transparency and justice[2].
In brief, the victims' collective demands:
- Acknowledgment and accountability for the abuses at Notre-Dame-de-Bétharram.
- A shift away from the silence and submission culture that enabled abuse.
- Preventive measures and independent oversight protecting children in educational institutions.
- Investigations into political figures, including François Bayrou, concerning their awareness and handling of the scandal.
- A genuine platform for victims to speak out without fear and obtain justice[1][2][3].
- The victims' collective emphasizes the need for a thorough investigation into the role of political figures like François Bayrou, as part of their demand for accountability in the Bétharram Affair.
- The collective strongly advocates for policy-and-legislation changes focusing on child protection, including the removal of institutional silence and the establishment of a platform for victims' voices to be heard and justice to be served.
