Some 30 percent of French citizens are racist, a new study concluded. According to research conducted by the French Consultative Commission for Human Rights, or CNCDH, 48 percent believe there are too many foreigners in the country, 54 percent blame immigrants for not doing enough to integrate into French society and 58 percent believe that some situations might justify racist behavior.
The research was presented Wednesday at the weekly governmental meeting, dedicated this week to International Human Rights Day. The report states that xenophobic, anti-Semitic and racist acts generally are on the decline in France.
During 2006, 885 racist threats and actions were registered, 10 percent less then in 2005. Still, anti-Semitic violence and threats increased, with 541 incidents in 2006 compared to 508 in 2005.
In spite of the general improvement, the commission stated that the government has a long way to go, and called for better educational programs and an Internet campaign.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
