Paris (AFP)
President Emmanuel Macron vowed on Sunday that France would not
seek to erase elements of its history or take down statues of
controversial public figures, despite growing global scrutiny of
former colonial powers in the wake of worldwide protests.
In an address to the nation, Macron said France would be
“uncompromising” in its fight against racism after days of
demonstrations over alleged prejudice among police forces.
Angry crowds have toppled statues of colonial figures in Britain
and the United States, and there has been an intensified scrutiny
of the records of key leaders of the colonial era in Europe.
But Macron said the country would not obscure elements of its
history or dismantle statues of public figures who may have
advocated racist views or policies.
“The Republic will not wipe away any trace or any name from its
history. It will not forget any of its works. It will not take down
any of its statues but lucidly look at out history and our memory
together,” he said.
He said this was especially important in Africa, where French
colonial rule in several countries left a legacy that remains a
subject of anger for many to this day.
Together, France and Africa need to find a “present and a future
that is possible on both sides of the Mediterranean”, he said.
In a sign of the sensitivities in France, former prime minister
Jean-Marc Ayrault had Saturday urged a new designation for a hall
in parliament named after the 17th-century statesman Jean-Baptiste
Colbert. It was Colbert who drew up the “Code Noir” that defined
the conditions for slavery.
– ‘Police deserve support’ –
Several demonstrations against racism and police violence
against minorities have erupted in French cities in recent weeks,
given impetus by the death in police custody of George Floyd in the
US.
Protesters have rallied in particular around the case of a young
black man, Adama Traore, who died in custody in 2016, a case that
remains under investigation.
Twenty-one people have been placed under arrest over their
actions in a demonstration in Paris in Saturday that ended in
clashes with police, prosecutors said.
Macron acknowledged that France had to fight against the fact
that “the name, the address, the colour of the skin” can affect a
person’s chances in their lives.
“We will be uncompromising against racism, anti-Semitism and
discrimination. New decisions for equality will be taken,” he
said.
“It is necessary to unite around Republican patriotism. We are a
nation where everyone — whatever their origin and religion — can
find their place,” he said.
“Is this true everywhere and for everyone? No,” he admitted.
Human Rights Watch said Sunday that France should halt identity
checks by the police that are “abusive and discriminatory” towards
black and Arab males.
But Macron defended France’s under-fire police force, saying
they “deserve public support and the recognition of the nation for
their work.”
“Without Republican order there cannot be security or freedom,”
he said.
He warned that the fight against racism became distorted when it
became exploited by what he described as “separatists.”
Police have themselves protested against what they perceive as a
lack of backing from the government and in particular Interior
Minister Christophe Castaner.
Several dozen police held a surprise nighttime protest late
Saturday in central Paris, parking their police cars by the Arc de
Triomphe and flashing their lights.
Paris (AFP)
President Emmanuel Macron vowed on Sunday that France would not
seek to erase elements of its history or take down statues of
controversial public figures, despite growing global scrutiny of
former colonial powers in the wake of worldwide protests.
In an address to the nation, Macron said France would be
“uncompromising” in its fight against racism after days of
demonstrations over alleged prejudice among police forces.
Angry crowds have toppled statues of colonial figures in Britain
and the United States, and there has been an intensified scrutiny
of the records of key leaders of the colonial era in Europe.
But Macron said the country would not obscure elements of its
history or dismantle statues of public figures who may have
advocated racist views or policies.
“The Republic will not wipe away any trace or any name from its
history. It will not forget any of its works. It will not take down
any of its statues but lucidly look at out history and our memory
together,” he said.
He said this was especially important in Africa, where French
colonial rule in several countries left a legacy that remains a
subject of anger for many to this day.
Together, France and Africa need to find a “present and a future
that is possible on both sides of the Mediterranean”, he said.
In a sign of the sensitivities in France, former prime minister
Jean-Marc Ayrault had Saturday urged a new designation for a hall
in parliament named after the 17th-century statesman Jean-Baptiste
Colbert. It was Colbert who drew up the “Code Noir” that defined
the conditions for slavery.
– ‘Police deserve support’ –
Several demonstrations against racism and police violence
against minorities have erupted in French cities in recent weeks,
given impetus by the death in police custody of George Floyd in the
US.
Protesters have rallied in particular around the case of a young
black man, Adama Traore, who died in custody in 2016, a case that
remains under investigation.
Twenty-one people have been placed under arrest over their
actions in a demonstration in Paris in Saturday that ended in
clashes with police, prosecutors said.
Macron acknowledged that France had to fight against the fact
that “the name, the address, the colour of the skin” can affect a
person’s chances in their lives.
“We will be uncompromising against racism, anti-Semitism and
discrimination. New decisions for equality will be taken,” he
said.
“It is necessary to unite around Republican patriotism. We are a
nation where everyone — whatever their origin and religion — can
find their place,” he said.
“Is this true everywhere and for everyone? No,” he admitted.
Human Rights Watch said Sunday that France should halt identity
checks by the police that are “abusive and discriminatory” towards
black and Arab males.
But Macron defended France’s under-fire police force, saying
they “deserve public support and the recognition of the nation for
their work.”
“Without Republican order there cannot be security or freedom,”
he said.
He warned that the fight against racism became distorted when it
became exploited by what he described as “separatists.”
Police have themselves protested against what they perceive as a
lack of backing from the government and in particular Interior
Minister Christophe Castaner.
Several dozen police held a surprise nighttime protest late
Saturday in central Paris, parking their police cars by the Arc de
Triomphe and flashing their lights.