Fact Sheet: France’s Systematic Obstruction policy on Muslims

<div class="post-content"> <div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;"><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start" style="max-width:1123.2px;margin-left: calc(-4% / 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% / 2 );"><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column" style="background-position: left top; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; padding: 0px; min-height: 0px;"><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-1" style="transform:translate3d(0,0,0);"><h2 style="text-align: center; --fontSize: 35; line-height: 1.29;" data-fontsize="35" data-lineheight="45.15px" class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated"><strong>Systematic Obstruction of…. Muslims!</strong></h2> </div></div></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}</style><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column fusion-flex-align-self-center"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column" style="background-position: left top; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; padding: 0px; min-height: 0px;"><div style="text-align:center;"><span class=" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none"><img width="200" height="234" title="Christophe Castaner" src="https://www.cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Christophe-Castaner-200x234.jpg" class="img-responsive wp-image-28894" srcset="https://www.cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Christophe-Castaner-200x234.jpg 200w, https://www.cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Christophe-Castaner-400x468.jpg 400w, https://www.cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Christophe-Castaner-600x701.jpg 600w, https://www.cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Christophe-Castaner.jpg 770w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 400px"></span></div></div></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:33.333333333333% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 5.76%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 5.76%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}</style><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-flex-column"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column" style="background-position: left top; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; padding: 0px; min-height: 0px;"><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-2" style="transform:translate3d(0,0,0);"><p>In February 2018 the French government began a policy called the <strong>“Systematic Obstruction”</strong> policy.</p> <p>The aim of the policy was to target so-called ‘radical Islam’.</p> <p>According to the former French Home Secretary Christophe Castaner, pictured right, this is synonymous with:<br> the beard, hijab, prayer, religiosity during ramadhan and other normal expressions of Islam.</p> </div></div></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:66.666666666667% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 2.88%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 2.88%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}</style><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column" style="background-position: left top; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; padding: 0px; min-height: 0px;"><div class="fusion-section-separator section-separator big-half-circle fusion-section-separator-1"><div class="fusion-section-separator-svg" style="padding:0;"><svg class="fusion-big-half-circle-candy" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1" width="100%" height="100" viewBox="0 0 100 100" preserveAspectRatio="none" style="fill:#f6f6f6;padding:0;"><path d="M0 0 C55 180 100 0 100 0 Z"></path></svg></div><div class="fusion-section-separator-spacer"><div class="fusion-section-separator-spacer-height" style="height:99px;"></div></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-section-separator-1 .fusion-section-separator-svg {margin-left:1.92%;margin-right:1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-section-separator-1 .fusion-section-separator-svg {margin-left:1.92%;margin-right:1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-section-separator-1 .fusion-section-separator-svg {margin-left:1.92%;margin-right:1.92%;}}</style></div></div></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-3{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-3 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-3{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-3 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-3{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-3 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}</style></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-1{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}</style></div><div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;"><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start" style="max-width:1123.2px;margin-left: calc(-4% / 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% / 2 );"><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-4 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column" style="background-position: left top; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; padding: 0px; min-height: 0px;"><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-3" style="transform:translate3d(0,0,0);"><h2 style="text-align: center; --fontSize: 35; line-height: 1.29;" data-fontsize="35" data-lineheight="45.15px" class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated"><strong>The small steps towards systemic Islamophobia: A timeline</strong></h2> </div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-4" style="transform:translate3d(0,0,0);"><ul> <li aria-level="1"><b>February 2018: </b>Policy is implemented in only 15 classified locations.</li> <li aria-level="1"><b>November 2019: </b>Policy made public and extended to the entire country through the establishment of special <i>departmental cells against ‘Islamism and communitarian withdrawal’</i> nationwide.</li> <li aria-level="1"><b>October 2020:</b> President Macron introduces Islamophobic Anti-Separatism Bill which builds on the Systematic Obstruction powers.</li> <li aria-level="1"><b>July 2021:</b> Anti-Separatism bill adopted by Parliament.</li> </ul> </div><div class="fusion-section-separator section-separator big-half-circle fusion-section-separator-2"><div class="fusion-section-separator-svg" style="padding:0;"><svg class="fusion-big-half-circle-candy" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1" width="100%" height="100" viewBox="0 0 100 100" preserveAspectRatio="none" style="fill:#f6f6f6;padding:0;"><path d="M0 0 C55 180 100 0 100 0 Z"></path></svg></div><div class="fusion-section-separator-spacer"><div class="fusion-section-separator-spacer-height" style="height:99px;"></div></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-section-separator-2 .fusion-section-separator-svg {margin-left:1.92%;margin-right:1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-section-separator-2 .fusion-section-separator-svg {margin-left:1.92%;margin-right:1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-section-separator-2 .fusion-section-separator-svg {margin-left:1.92%;margin-right:1.92%;}}</style></div></div></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-4{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-4 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-4{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-4 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-4{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-4 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}</style></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-2{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}</style></div><div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;"><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start" style="max-width:1123.2px;margin-left: calc(-4% / 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% / 2 );"><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-5 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column" style="background-position: left top; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; padding: 0px; min-height: 0px;"><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-5" style="transform:translate3d(0,0,0);"><h2 style="text-align: center; --fontSize: 35; line-height: 1.29;" data-fontsize="35" data-lineheight="45.15px" class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated"><strong>The Shocking Impact of the Systematic Obstruction policy</strong></h2> </div><div class="fusion-counters-box counters-box row fusion-clearfix fusion-columns-1"><div class="fusion-counter-box fusion-column col-counter-box counter-box-wrapper col-lg-12 col-md-12 col-sm-12 fusion-counter-box-icon-top" data-animationoffset="100%"><div class="counter-box-container" style="border: 1px solid #e0dede;"><div class="content-box-percentage content-box-counter" style="color:#d11b1e;font-size:50px;line-height:normal;"><i class="counter-box-icon fontawesome-icon fa-user-secret fas" style="font-size:50px;" aria-hidden="true"></i><span class="display-counter" data-value="101" data-direction="up" data-decimals="0">0</span></div><div class="counter-box-content" style="color:#747474;font-size:13px;">Government units nationwide to monitor Islam and Muslims</div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-counters-box counters-box row fusion-clearfix fusion-columns-1"><div class="fusion-counter-box fusion-column col-counter-box counter-box-wrapper col-lg-12 col-md-12 col-sm-12 fusion-counter-box-icon-top" data-animationoffset="100%"><div class="counter-box-container" style="border: 1px solid #e0dede;"><div class="content-box-percentage content-box-counter" style="color:#000000;font-size:50px;line-height:normal;"><i class="counter-box-icon fontawesome-icon fa-eye fas" style="font-size:50px;" aria-hidden="true"></i><span class="display-counter" data-value="23996" data-direction="up" data-decimals="0">0</span></div><div class="counter-box-content" style="color:#747474;font-size:13px;">Muslim organisations and businesses placed on a secret blacklist and under strict monitoring </div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-counters-box counters-box row fusion-clearfix fusion-columns-1"><div class="fusion-counter-box fusion-column col-counter-box counter-box-wrapper col-lg-12 col-md-12 col-sm-12 fusion-counter-box-icon-top" data-animationoffset="100%"><div class="counter-box-container" style="border: 1px solid #e0dede;"><div class="content-box-percentage content-box-counter" style="color:#1a80b6;font-size:50px;line-height:normal;"><i class="counter-box-icon fontawesome-icon fa-store-alt-slash fas" style="font-size:50px;" aria-hidden="true"></i><span class="display-counter" data-value="672" data-direction="up" data-decimals="0">0</span></div><div class="counter-box-content" style="color:#747474;font-size:13px;">Muslim-owned organisations and businesses were closed</div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-6" style="transform:translate3d(0,0,0);"><h3 style="text-align: center; --fontSize: 26; line-height: 1.62;" data-fontsize="26" data-lineheight="42.12px" class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated"><span style="color: #1a80b6;"><strong><em>Including at least</em></strong></span></h3> </div><div class="fusion-counters-box counters-box row fusion-clearfix fusion-columns-4"><div class="fusion-counter-box fusion-column col-counter-box counter-box-wrapper col-lg-3 col-md-3 col-sm-3 fusion-counter-box-icon-top" data-animationoffset="100%"><div class="counter-box-container" style="border: 1px solid #e0dede;"><div class="content-box-percentage content-box-counter" style="color:#1a80b6;font-size:50px;line-height:normal;"><i class="counter-box-icon fontawesome-icon fa-graduation-cap fas" style="font-size:50px;" aria-hidden="true"></i><span class="display-counter" data-value="4" data-direction="up" data-decimals="0">0</span></div><div class="counter-box-content" style="color:#747474;font-size:13px;">Schools closed</div></div></div><div class="fusion-counter-box fusion-column col-counter-box counter-box-wrapper col-lg-3 col-md-3 col-sm-3 fusion-counter-box-icon-top" data-animationoffset="100%"><div class="counter-box-container" style="border: 1px solid #e0dede;"><div class="content-box-percentage content-box-counter" style="color:#1a80b6;font-size:50px;line-height:normal;"><i class="counter-box-icon fontawesome-icon fa-mosque fas" style="font-size:50px;" aria-hidden="true"></i><span class="display-counter" data-value="37" data-direction="up" data-decimals="0">0</span></div><div class="counter-box-content" style="color:#747474;font-size:13px;">Mosques closed</div></div></div><div class="fusion-counter-box fusion-column col-counter-box counter-box-wrapper col-lg-3 col-md-3 col-sm-3 fusion-counter-box-icon-top" data-animationoffset="100%"><div class="counter-box-container" style="border: 1px solid #e0dede;"><div class="content-box-percentage content-box-counter" style="color:#1a80b6;font-size:50px;line-height:normal;"><i class="counter-box-icon fontawesome-icon fa-briefcase fas" style="font-size:50px;" aria-hidden="true"></i><span class="display-counter" data-value="210" data-direction="up" data-decimals="0">0</span></div><div class="counter-box-content" style="color:#747474;font-size:13px;">Businesses closed</div></div></div><div class="fusion-counter-box fusion-column col-counter-box counter-box-wrapper col-lg-3 col-md-3 col-sm-3 fusion-counter-box-icon-top" data-animationoffset="100%"><div class="counter-box-container" style="border: 1px solid #e0dede;"><div class="content-box-percentage content-box-counter" style="color:#1a80b6;font-size:50px;line-height:normal;"><i class="counter-box-icon fontawesome-icon fa-building fas" style="font-size:50px;" aria-hidden="true"></i><span class="display-counter" data-value="12" data-direction="up" data-decimals="0">0</span></div><div class="counter-box-content" style="color:#747474;font-size:13px;">Organisations closed</div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-counters-box counters-box row fusion-clearfix fusion-columns-1"><div class="fusion-counter-box fusion-column col-counter-box counter-box-wrapper col-lg-12 col-md-12 col-sm-12" data-animationoffset="100%"><div class="counter-box-container" style="border: 1px solid #e0dede;"><div class="content-box-percentage content-box-counter" style="color:#1a80b6;font-size:50px;line-height:normal;"><i class="counter-box-icon fontawesome-icon fa-hand-holding-usd fas" style="font-size:50px;" aria-hidden="true"></i><span class="unit">€</span><span class="display-counter" data-value="45572000" data-direction="up" data-decimals="0">0</span></div><div class="counter-box-content" style="color:#747474;font-size:13px;">Cash seized from Muslims</div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-7" style="transform:translate3d(0,0,0);"><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #1a80b6;">(Figures correct as of October 2021)<strong><em><br> </em></strong></span></p> </div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-8" style="transform:translate3d(0,0,0);"><h3 style="text-align: center; --fontSize: 26; line-height: 1.62;" data-fontsize="26" data-lineheight="42.12px" class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated">&nbsp;On average this is a staggering:</h3> <h3 style="text-align: center; --fontSize: 26; line-height: 1.62;" data-fontsize="26" data-lineheight="42.12px" class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated">24 investigations a day</h3> <h3 style="text-align: center; --fontSize: 26; line-height: 1.62;" data-fontsize="26" data-lineheight="42.12px" class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated">15 closures a month</h3> <h3 style="text-align: center; --fontSize: 26; line-height: 1.62;" data-fontsize="26" data-lineheight="42.12px" class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated">€10m seized a year!</h3> </div><div class="fusion-section-separator section-separator big-half-circle fusion-section-separator-3"><div class="fusion-section-separator-svg" style="padding:0;"><svg class="fusion-big-half-circle-candy" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1" width="100%" height="100" viewBox="0 0 100 100" preserveAspectRatio="none" style="fill:#f6f6f6;padding:0;"><path d="M0 0 C55 180 100 0 100 0 Z"></path></svg></div><div class="fusion-section-separator-spacer"><div class="fusion-section-separator-spacer-height" style="height:99px;"></div></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-section-separator-3 .fusion-section-separator-svg {margin-left:1.92%;margin-right:1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-section-separator-3 .fusion-section-separator-svg {margin-left:1.92%;margin-right:1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-section-separator-3 .fusion-section-separator-svg {margin-left:1.92%;margin-right:1.92%;}}</style></div></div></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-5{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-5 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-5{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-5 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-5{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-5 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}</style></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-3{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}</style></div><div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-4 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;"><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start" style="max-width:1123.2px;margin-left: calc(-4% / 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% / 2 );"><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-6 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column" style="background-position: left top; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; padding: 0px; min-height: 0px;"><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-9" style="transform:translate3d(0,0,0);"><h2 style="text-align: center; --fontSize: 35; line-height: 1.29;" data-fontsize="35" data-lineheight="45.15px" class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated"><strong>How Muslim businesses and organisations are punished for being Muslim in France</strong></h2> </div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-10" style="transform:translate3d(0,0,0);"><p style="text-align: center;">101 special units of the French government aggressively check that legislation is being correctly implemented. This includes:</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Security policies,</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Health and Safety policies,</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Taxes etc</p> <p style="text-align: center;">The tiniest infraction leads to severe sanction:</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Permanent closure</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Temporary closure</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Seizure of funds</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Fines and financial sanctions</p> </div><div class="fusion-section-separator section-separator big-half-circle fusion-section-separator-4"><div class="fusion-section-separator-svg" style="padding:0;"><svg class="fusion-big-half-circle-candy" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1" width="100%" height="100" viewBox="0 0 100 100" preserveAspectRatio="none" style="fill:#f6f6f6;padding:0;"><path d="M0 0 C55 180 100 0 100 0 Z"></path></svg></div><div class="fusion-section-separator-spacer"><div class="fusion-section-separator-spacer-height" style="height:99px;"></div></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-section-separator-4 .fusion-section-separator-svg {margin-left:1.92%;margin-right:1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-section-separator-4 .fusion-section-separator-svg {margin-left:1.92%;margin-right:1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-section-separator-4 .fusion-section-separator-svg {margin-left:1.92%;margin-right:1.92%;}}</style></div></div></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-6{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-6 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-6{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-6 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-6{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-6 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}</style></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-4{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}</style></div><div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-5 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;"><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start" style="max-width:1123.2px;margin-left: calc(-4% / 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% / 2 );"><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-7 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column" style="background-position: left top; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; padding: 0px; min-height: 0px;"><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-11" style="transform:translate3d(0,0,0);"><h2 style="text-align: center; --fontSize: 35; line-height: 1.29;" data-fontsize="35" data-lineheight="45.15px" class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated"><strong>Entrenching the obstruction policy against Muslims through the Anti-Separatism Bill</strong></h2> </div></div></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-7{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-7 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-7{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-7 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-7{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-7 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}</style><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-8 fusion_builder_column_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column" style="background-position: left top; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; padding: 0px; min-height: 0px;"><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-12" style="transform:translate3d(0,0,0);"><blockquote> <p>“I request you to intensify your obstruction actions by systematically connecting with the departmental cells.<br> This obstruction policy will be soon strengthened by the new dispositions of the [Anti-Separatism] bill to reinforce respect for Republican Principles.”</p> <p><em>– French Prime Minister Jean Castex</em></p> </blockquote> </div></div></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-8{width:50% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-8 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 3.84%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 3.84%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-8{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-8 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-8{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-8 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}</style><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-9 fusion_builder_column_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column fusion-flex-align-self-center"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column" style="background-position: left top; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; padding: 0px; min-height: 0px;"><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-13" style="transform:translate3d(0,0,0);"></div><div><span class=" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none"><img width="235" height="300" title="Jean Castex" src="https://www.cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Jean-Castex-235x300.jpg" class="img-responsive wp-image-28914" srcset="https://www.cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Jean-Castex-200x255.jpg 200w, https://www.cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Jean-Castex-400x511.jpg 400w, https://www.cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Jean-Castex.jpg 470w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 235px"></span></div></div></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-9{width:50% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-9 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 3.84%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 3.84%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-9{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-9 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-9{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-9 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}</style><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-10 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column" style="background-position: left top; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; padding: 0px; min-height: 0px;"><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-14" style="transform:translate3d(0,0,0);"><p>By targeting its Muslim minority on a systematic basis and despite its vicious whitewashing propaganda, the French State leads what can only be described as an Islamophobic persecution.</p> <p>The Anti-Separatism Bill will only strengthen it by granting additional powers to the State.</p> <p>It&nbsp; is our duty to unveil the great injustice French Muslims currently face and speak out against a State whose actions are driven by its Islamophobic hatred.</p> </div></div></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-10{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-10 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-10{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-10 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-10{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-10 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}</style><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-11 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column" style="background-position: left top; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; padding: 0px; min-height: 0px;"><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-15" style="transform:translate3d(0,0,0);"><p><em>Images used courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christophe_Castaner_en_2019_(cropped).jpg">Arthur Empereur</a> and </em><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portrait_Jean_Castex.jpg"><em>Florian David</em></a></p> <p><strong><em>Article last updated: October 2021</em></strong></p> </div></div></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-11{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-11 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-11{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-11 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-11{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-11 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}</style></div><style type="text/css">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-5{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}</style></div> <p style="font-size:11px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-top:100px">(NOTE: CAGE represents cases of individuals based on the remit of our work. Supporting a case does not mean we agree with the views or actions of the individual. Content published on CAGE may not reflect the official position of our organisation.)</p> </div>