France Unveils New Secularism Law, Drops ’Separatism’ Label

Gérald Darmanin recalled, while communicating the new name of this draft law, that the idea "was indeed to fight against the main separatism which is radical Islam". He also made the distinction by stating that "This is not the only purpose of the text which addresses all faiths, against all sectarian movements, imposes political and religious neutrality".

The project contains stricter measures to strengthen the judicial arsenal against religious separatisms. The first two articles of the 1905 law, the foundation of secularism in France, would not be modified but its provisions will be strengthened, he said. Thus, with regard to the prohibition of engaging in politics in places of worship, provided for in this law, it will be followed by "administrative and criminal sanctions in the new draft law".

The State will verify the accounts of associations receiving subsidies or benefiting from loans of materials mainly from abroad as announced by President Macron last week. The aim is to free associations from funding from certain countries such as Saudi Arabia or Turkey. The Minister of the Interior declared in this regard that they will be asked from the first euro, an adherence to the "values of the Republic".