The French Senate voted May 3 in favor of a controversial law aimed at regulating religious minorities.  The so-called “anti-sect law” has attracted criticism from human rights organizations, religious groups, and more than 50 members of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. 

The law may encourage and, in some ways, legalize discrimination against religious minorities in France, says John Graz, public affairs and religious liberty director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church worldwide.

“It is very dangerous to create special legislation aimed at only some religious groups,” he says. “A democratic society should be especially sensitive to legislation that may result in new means for discriminating against minorities.”

“It is unnecessary to create a special category of religious offenses,” adds Graz. “Present legislation in France is sufficient to protect people from those who use religion to manipulate and oppress others. We do not need new legislation in order to punish the murderer, to stop the dealer, or to neutralize abuse.”

He says some provisions of the proposed law are vaguely worded, increasing the potential for inconsistent or discriminatory enforcement.

Under the anti-sect law, judges could impose penalties or dissolve religious organizations that engage in “physical or psychological subjection” or which undertake serious and repeated “judgment-altering techniques.”

The Adventist Church is not on the list of 173 “suspect religions” identified in a 1996 government-sponsored report on religious groups in France, says Graz.  “But our commitment to religious liberty and freedom of conscience means that we, as a church, cannot be silent on this issue,” he adds.       

If the National Assembly approves the legislation, France will be the only Western European country with a law regulating religious minorities.