Dissecting France's race problem

According to a study published by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies entitled Immigrants and Descendants of Immigrants in France, approximately 10.3% of France's population in 2021 were immigrants, amounting to around 7 million individuals. This figure is up from 6.5% recorded in 1968.

The study also found that immigrants in France tend to have stronger religious affiliations compared to the rest of the population, with Islam being the dominant force among them. Additionally, it revealed that the largest proportion of immigrants in France come from North Africa.

The death of Nahel Marzouki – a 17-year-old who was too young to hold a driving licence and was shot by police for driving off from a police vehicle check – looks like part of a recurring pattern. But each time such incidents occur, the French judiciary fails to hold the perpetrators to account which gives the impression of tacit approval.

The current problem is not new.

A report issued in 2017 by France's independent constitutional authority, known as the Defender of Rights, highlighted how young people perceived as black or Arab, are 20 times more likely to be confronted by police than members of other groups.

And the recent words from France's Interior Minister Gérard Darmanin are emblematic of the state of affairs in the country.

He said: "Sunni terrorism is the most prominent threat to France and Europe."

When the head of security agencies speaks in such a manner, it is unsurprising that racist behaviours occur within the police system.

Roots of prejudice

Islamophobia intensified in France after 911 in the United States and unleashed deep-seated hatred towards immigrant communities in France, feelings that had previously been suppressed or subdued.  

A law enacted in 2004, prohibiting symbols and clothing that visibly express religious affiliation in schools and official institutions, was a clear indication of the growing hostility towards Muslims, particularly immigrants.

Although this law was enacted during the presidency of Jacques Chirac – who was seen as a friend by Arabs and Muslims,  it was primarily driven by Nicolas Sarkozy, a powerful figure in the right-wing ruling party.

Sarkozy was preparing to run for the presidency in 2007 and employed extremist right-wing slogans and populist rhetoric, focusing on combating immigration and proposing the establishment of a ministry for "immigration and national identity" to protect French Republic values.

It is no coincidence that the rise of racism in France coincided with Sarkozy's increasing popularity, along with his right-wing and extremist political discourse and opposition to immigration.

Immigrant communities in France faced a significant crisis in 2005, while Sarkozy served as the Minister of Interior.

Clichy-sous-Bois

It surfaced following the deaths of two young men of African descent, one of them Tunisian, who were electrocuted while attempting to flee from the police in the suburbs of Clichy-sous-Bois in eastern Paris.

Sarkozy's remarks at the time further fuelled the anger among immigrants, igniting waves of violence and riots. He referred to the rioters as "scum" and called for an "industrial cleaning" of many French suburbs.

The outcome of this unrest was 19 nights of intense violence, resulting in the burning of around 8,700 cars and numerous public and government buildings. It left a deep wound in French society that continues to bleed to this day.

Ten years later, a French court acquitted two police officers accused of failing to provide assistance to the two teenage boys. Thus – intentionally or unintentionally – the French judiciary sanctioned the transformation of racial discrimination against immigrants into a culture deeply embedded within the state and society.

Subsequent racial incidents became inevitable, especially with Sarkozy's election as the President of the Republic from 2007 to 2012.

Mohamed Boukrourou

In November 2009, a Moroccan immigrant named Mohamed Boukrourou died while in police custody in Flavigny-sur-Moselle, following an altercation in a pharmacy.

Initially, the French police attributed his death to "difficulty breathing," but the public prosecutor in Montpellier, who launched a judicial investigation, acknowledged that Boukrourou did not die from suffocation.

The victim's brother revealed in a press statement that during Ghusl Mayyit, the washing of Boukrourou's body, the family noticed bruises on his face and injuries around his mouth and cheeks. Multiple witnesses to the incident also confirmed that the police officers unlawfully struck the handcuffed victim.

Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, addressed this incident, noting in their report that the death of the Moroccan immigrant "serves as a reminder of the authorities' failure to prosecute law enforcement officers accused of committing serious human rights violations."

The report included a testimony from an eyewitness, stating that they saw the police officers stomping on Boukrourou, kicking and hitting him.

Ultimately, no one was held accountable, and the case was closed despite significant pressure. If those responsible for the death of the Moroccan immigrant had been held accountable, it might have served as a legal and ethical deterrent for the police, potentially preventing recurring waves of riots by immigrants in France.

A death a month at the hands of French police

A comparison conducted by the French newspaper Libérationfollowing the killing of Nahel reveals that the French police have been responsible for the death of a driver every month, whereas, in Germany, there have been only three cases of deaths related to roadside checkpoints over a ten-year period between 2013 and 2023.

The newspaper relies on archives from the specialized magazine CiLiP(Citizenship and Police) for its report. French sociologist Sébastien Roché is quoted as saying, "In Germany, there was only one fatal shooting due to resistance to orders in 10 years, compared to 16 cases in France over a year and a half."

The phenomenon of racism subsided to some extent after the election of left-wing candidate François Hollande as President of the Republic, who succeeded Nicolas Sarkozy as president. This can be attributed to the focus of the French left on the integration of immigrants into French society, which dates back to the time of President François Mitterrand.

He once stated in a speech, "Immigrants did not come on their own, but they were brought by trucks and boats because France needed labour for mines, automobile industry, public works, and all the polluting industries that the French refused."

Virginie Martin, a professor of political science and sociology at the Kedge Business School, highlighted that municipalities led by left-wing governments made efforts to improve. They sought better relations, especially in densely populated immigrant suburbs, through strong integration policies and controls on local police.

She pointed out that police officers used to engage with members of the community in immigrant neighbourhoods and suburbs, playing football with the children.

However, during Sarkozy's tenure, the French right wing put an end to such initiatives for cohesion between communities and the police.

Terror attacks of 2015: A turning point

The terrorist events that unfolded in France in 2015 ignited an even harsher and stronger wave of racism.

Attacks began with the shootings at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which killed 12 people, including most of its editorial staff. The attack was a response to the publication of a cartoon mocking the Prophet Muhammad. Both Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the operation.

In the aftermath of the attack, the French National Assembly enacted stringent counter-terrorism measures, including an intelligence law, which faced widespread criticism for its perceived infringement on civil liberties. Later that year, France experienced a series of terrorist attacks, the most devastating since World War II.

They included suicide bombings at the Stade de France during a friendly football match between the national teams of France and Germany, attended by French President François Hollande, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

There were also armed attacks on several well-known restaurants in different locations and a siege at the Bataclan Theatre during a music concert. The attacks claimed the lives of 130 people, with 89 of them at the theatre, and left 368 injured. Most of the perpetrators had French backgrounds with immigrant roots, specifically of Arab origin.

Nice attack

In July 2016, another attack took place in Nice, where a truck was driven into a crowd gathered to watch the fireworks display on France's national day, resulting in the death of 84 people.

This attack not only led to the extension of the state of emergency but also prompted the tightening of the penal code; it included specific laws against the establishment of criminal organisations and passing a provision allowing for the closure of places of worship if the religious speeches promote violence and hatred.

Unquestionably, the main targets of these measures were mosques and Islamic associations.

The rise of the far-right

A few months prior to the attack in Nice, French President Hollande made an attempt to pass a law on citizenship revocation, targeting French dual nationals accused of terrorist acts.

However, this proposed law faced significant criticism within French political and media circles, as well as opposition from defenders of freedom and human rights, ultimately leading to its abandonment.

While it was the socialist parties that initiated and supported these legislative projects, aiming to integrate immigrants into French society with its values and culture, the role of right-wing forces, especially the extremist ones, cannot be overlooked.

Far-right populism in France has gained traction in recent years. It reflects a significant shift in the mindset of French voters and the widespread support for racist slogans and hate speech against immigrants within French society.

Despite the election of Emmanuel Macron as President of the Republic in 2017, representing the centre-right, the situation for immigrants in general, and Muslims in particular, has deteriorated.

The young and populist president has contributed to the pressures faced by these groups by adopting an Islamophobic and racist stance against immigrants, essentially turning it into a "state policy."

This was especially evident following the tragic beheading of Samuel Paty, a teacher, by a Chechen refugee in October 2020.

This growing hostility culminated in the proposal of a bill aimed at reinforcing the principles of the republic to combat perceived "isolationism" and "separatist tendencies."

The French parliament approved this bill in early 2021 by a significant majority, despite the absence of any separatist demands from organisations, groups, or regions within France.

However, many intellectuals, academics, and researchers believed that this legislation was tailored specifically to target Muslims and immigrants, further stigmatising and marginalising them.

The law tightened control over associations and the funding of religious activities, while also imposing censorship on social media platforms to curb the spread of hate speech.

Consequently, the French authorities dissolved several Muslim-affiliated associations and undermined the role of the "French Council for the Islamic Religion," an official body established in 2003, which was ultimately dissolved by President Macron's decision in February 2023. 

Closing mosques

Furthermore, 21 mosques were closed, as stated by French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin in late 2021, with ongoing efforts to shut down additional mosques, as more than 90 have been subjected to searches.

The situation was further exacerbated by the escalating political dispute between French President Macron and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This dispute had an adverse impact on the French government's approach to immigrants, particularly Muslims, as they were increasingly viewed as supporters of Erdoğan .

It is important to note that the Turkish community in France numbers around 700,000, with half of them holding French nationality. It appears that Macron, who values culture and history, may be attempting to revive an old European perspective that erroneously considers all Muslims to be Turks.

A racist minority

It is essential to recognize that only a minority French population holds racist views.

But the problem is nonetheless severe and the government's policies have had profound effects on various sectors, including public administration, law enforcement organisations, and even the private sector.

Consequently, there has been an increase in racist actions and behaviour exhibited by police officers, teachers, and university professors towards immigrants.

On 15 February 2022, the French website Mediapart published an investigative report shedding light on the ongoing injustice felt by the families of the victims, two years after an 84-year-old French extremist attacked the Bayonne mosque in southern France, the only mosque on the Basque coast.

Despite the presence of two individuals in the mosque, the authorities swiftly dismissed the incident as an act of terrorism. The extremist had intended to set fire to the mosque using petrol, but when he discovered the presence of the two people, he shot them.

One was hit in the neck, while the other sustained three bullet wounds to the side and arm. The French government and judicial authorities displayed no interest in the incident as an act of terrorism.

The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office deemed the case unworthy of consideration, citing the shooter's "partial weakness of judgment." The offender, Claude Cinque, belonged to the far-right "National Rally" party led by Marine Le Pen and had previously run for parliamentary elections.

Judicial negligence

This case of judicial negligence is not an isolated incident and is preceded by several similar incidents, such as the killing of an 80-year-old Algerian woman in Marseille, shot in the face by a police officer during protests in 2018.

Despite repeated requests from Amnesty International for the French judicial authorities to thoroughly investigate the case, no action was taken.

On 8 March 2022, Mediapart published a report on complaints filed by 15 immigrants detained in administrative detention centers for irregular immigrants in Nice, southern France. They alleged that the police intentionally played pornographic sounds through loudspeakers while Muslim detainees were praying.

Some of the detainees stated that these sounds were specifically targeted during prayer times. The lawyer appointed by Nice's Bar Association to handle the case believed that "the police deliberately engage in this behaviour to demonstrate their disrespect for the detainees' religion."

Such behaviour comes when 23% of respondents in France to a poll conducted by Statasta, a specialised website in global statistics, in July 2022, admitted to holding racist views. That is almost a quarter of the people questioned.

The country's National Consultative Commission for Human Rights in France, in its annual report on combating racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia published in the same month, highlighted the persistent "alarming" discriminatory phenomena based on origin, religion, or skin colour.

In August 2019, a study conducted by the IFOP Institute for statistics on discrimination and racism against French Muslims, commissioned by the Jean Jaurès Foundation, revealed alarming figures. It found that 60% of veiled women in France experienced discrimination and racism.

The survey also that 40% of the participants had been victims of racist behaviour, with 48% reporting some form of discrimination during their education in schools.

Furthermore, 13% stated that they had experienced discrimination by the police during investigations, and 17% faced similar treatment when searching for employment. 14% encountered racism and discrimination while searching for housing.

Racism on the streets and in Parliament

In October 2022, Mediapart published a report detailing how three minor immigrants were physically assaulted by police officers while being pursued for violating curfew regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019.

One of the detainees provided a testimony stating that an officer punched and slapped him, while another officer urinated on him, which the officer denied. The police organisation initially protected the officers according to official records.

However, the incident was captured on video, and the brother of one of the detainees, who happened to be an agent of the Anti-Crime Brigade within the National Police, led to an extensive investigation. Ultimately, two police officers were dismissed, only to be later appointed to other municipal police positions.

Racism does not just occur on the streets of France. It can be seen and heard on display in its parliament.

This was shown in an incident involving left-wing MP Carlos Martin, who is of African descent and was born in France. During a parliamentary session in November last year, Martin was subjected to a racist remark by his far-right colleague, Grégoire de Fournas, who interrupted him and said, "Go back to Africa."

This incident sparked widespread controversy in the country. Martin criticised the French media for being slow to condemn the incident, stating that it was not considered a crime but merely an opinion.

He further remarked, "Even when we occupy the highest positions in the country, we will always be exposed to racist behaviour because politics is a reflection of the evils of our societies."

In December, dozens of racist individuals gathered outside Purdue University in an attempt to attack Representative Martin. Police intervention was necessary to ensure his safety by escorting him out through the back door.

Football stars are not spared France's racism

Even World Cup-winning football stars from France's national team have been caught in the country's problem with racism.

French football legend of Algerian origin, Zinedine Zidane, faced blatant bullying from the President of the French Football Federation, Noel Le Graët, during a radio interview over his race.

Le Graët expressed his indifference towards Zidane and his coaching career, stating that he wouldn't even answer the phone if Zidane were to call. This remark came despite Zidane leading the French national team to their first-ever World Cup victory in 1998 and the European Championship in 2012.

The reaction from social media users, the French and international sports community, condemning and denouncing Le Graët's words, led to his subsequent apology and resignation. Similar scandals involving Le Graët emerged, including his mistreatment of the French women's national team through misogynistic and racist statements.

French coach Didier Deschamps also faced accusations of racially motivated expulsion of one of the national team's prominent stars, Karim Benzema, just days before the start of the Qatar World Cup. Deschamps repeatedly denied these allegations, but his reactions to questions about the Benzema case conveyed anger and frustration.

Furthermore, after the French national team lost the World Cup final in Doha to Argentina, players Aurélien Tchouaméni, Kingsley Coman, and Randal Kolo Muani, who have dark skin and African roots, were subjected to racist abuse.

Searching their names on social networks revealed insulting terms such as "monkeys" being thrown at them, with racist comments made by extremists, including some far-right politicians.

Racist incidents have occurred in football stadiums, and the French Football Federation has been criticised for not allowing Muslim players a brief pause to break their fasts during Ramadan, a practice allowed in many tournaments, including England's Premier League.

Penalties have also been imposed on French players of African descent for refusing to wear slogans supporting LGBTQ+ rights.

Immigrants flee the country

The pressure faced by immigrants and Muslims in France has driven many to leave the country to escape the pervasive racism they encounter in schools, institutes, universities, and public transportation.

In February 2022, the French newspaper Libération published a report discussing the migration of French Muslims to Turkey to escape Islamophobia.

The report highlighted that the majority of Muslims who left France and settled in Turkey were individuals who were deeply religious and seeking a more accepting environment. Meanwhile, many young Muslims of North African origin chose to settle in Arab Gulf states.

The report mentioned the presence of social media groups, particularly on Facebook, that facilitate immigration to Turkey, with one featuring around 2,000 members. The group administrators continue to receive numerous messages from French individuals seeking to leave.

In April, Mediapart published the findings of a special investigation, which documented dozens of attacks against mosques in France since 2019.

The report quoted Abdullah Zakari, the head of the National Observatory Against Islamophobia in the French Council for the Islamic Religion, stating that they do not always file complaints for the attacks they endure.

In 2021 alone, they faced around 70 threats that they chose not to report, recognising that such cases would likely remain unresolved. In early May, the UN criticised France for attacks on immigrants, racial profiling, and police violence during a meeting held by the Human Rights Council.

Several countries, including Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, raised concerns about the violence perpetrated by the French police during security operations, particularly in the context of demonstrations.

An Arab hero excluded from the state's highest honour

Just recently, a widespread controversy erupted on social media in France regarding the intention of the Élysée Palace to honour Henri d'Anselme and others involved in an attack by a Syrian refugee motorist in the city of Annecyin eastern France. The ceremony, scheduled for this month, aims to award them the "Legion of Honor," the highest official honour in France.

Activists criticised the exclusion of another hero named Tariq al-Barnoussi, a Frenchman of North African Arab origins, who had saved lives through his courageous response to a machete attack in a Lidl store in northern France, resulting in the amputation of two of his fingers. Some activists viewed the exclusion of Tariq as an intentional act and believed it was due to his immigrant Arab background.

Taken together, these incidents show how widespread blatant racism has become in French society. It is not limited to the police system. Officers are, after all, also members of society who, ultimately, reflect its prevailing sentiments.

Although hate speech, hostility towards immigrants, and the rise of far-right forces are not unique to France – they are phenomena developing across European countries and societies – the extent to which racism has shaped official state policy in France makes the country stand out.

It is this reality that has led to recurring riots, such as those following the killing of the young man, Nahel, which will continue to erupt and subside as long as the French state persists in allowing racism to characterise its official behaviour