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A file photo of French police beating a citizen of African origin.
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By
Hadi Yahmid, IOL Correspondent
PARIS,
April 19, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Racist acts by French police have
dramatically risen in 2004, particularly against French citizens of
North African origin, according to a report by an independent French
committee.
The
National Committee for Police Practices said in its annual report, a
copy of which was obtained by IslamOnline.net Monday, April 18, said
it recorded 97 abuses of power by policemen against 70 in 2003.
The
529-page report expressed deep concerns, as the police misconduct has
increased by 38 percent in just one year.
Most
of the shameful incidents took place in districts densely populated by
people from North African origin among the age groups from 18 to 35, it said.
Violent
action by policemen is driven by racist and ethnic motives, as they
judge people by their appearance, complexion and names on IDs.
The
harassment starts with checking IDs, followed by beating suspects,
holding them in custody and unnecessarily using tear gas canisters.
Restrictions
The
committee, which was established in 2000, recommended some legal
restrictions to curb the spiraling police racism.
Tear
gas canisters should be used only in self-defense, placing the police
activities under close scrutiny by an independent commission that will
report regularly to the appropriate authorities.
Amnesty
International said on an April 6 report that the French government
ministers, judges and senior police officers are allowing members of
the police force to use excessive and sometimes lethal force against
suspects of Arab and African origin.
In
its report “France:
The Search for Justice,” through 10 years of
documenting and exposing cases, the leading human rights group has
uncovered evidence of widespread failure of the judicial system to
prosecute and punish human rights violations in the country.
The
French Organization against Islamophobia (CCIF) said earlier this year
that during the period from October 2003 to August 2004, 26 cases of
verbal and physical assaults on Muslims, 28 cases of vandalism and
attempted arson targeting mosques, and 11 cases of desecration of
Muslim graves have been registered.
The
CCIF also listed a considerable number of internet sites spreading
anti-Muslim propaganda.
A
recent report by the International Helsinki Federation for
Human Rights (IHF) said that Muslim minorities across Europe have been
experiencing growing distrust, hostility and discrimination since the
9/11 attacks.
