Tolerance Towards Minorities in France Shows Resilience Amid Political Tensions
A CNCDH report indicates strong tolerance towards minorities in France despite political tensions.
Key Points
- • CNCDH's 2024 report shows a tolerance index of 63/100, rebounding from previous declines.
- • Anti-immigrant sentiment is correlated with biases against various minority groups.
- • Younger generations exhibit higher levels of tolerance, scoring 69/100 in 2024.
- • Despite a decline in biological racism, hate speech is increasing, according to Mathias Ott.
A new report from the Commission nationale consultative des droits de l'Homme (CNCDH) reveals that tolerance towards minorities in France remains robust despite ongoing political tensions. The 2024 longitudinal tolerance index has recorded a score of 63 out of 100, marking this as the third highest level of tolerance since 1990 and a slight rebound from its decline in 2023.
This year’s findings indicate a continue correlation between anti-immigrant sentiments and broader forms of discrimination. The report illustrates that as rejection of immigrants increases, so does the rejection of groups identified as Jewish, Muslim, Asian, Roma, Black, and those advocating for gender equality and LGBTI rights. Notably, 60% of respondents shared the view that many immigrants come to France merely for social benefits, while 23% expressed that children of immigrants born in France do not truly belong to the national identity. Furthermore, 46% of those surveyed attribute France's security issues primarily to immigration.
Interestingly, the CNCDH report highlights a shift from what has been termed ‘biological racism’ towards perceptions influenced by cultural and identity differences. This evolving attitude may reflect changing societal perspectives as younger generations, particularly those born between 1977 and 1986, posted a record tolerance score of 69/100.
Mathias Ott, the interministerial delegate focusing on combating racism and hatred, noted the paradox within these findings — though biological racism is on a downward trend, there is an alarming rise in hate speech reflecting a “desinhibition of racist and antisemitic discourse.” This illustrates the dual nature of France's social landscape, where tolerance has a solid footing, yet underlying tensions and negative sentiments persist.
Overall, the CNCDH’s report emphasizes the complexities of contemporary French society, where resilience in tolerance towards minorities is juxtaposed with rising hate speech, highlighting the need for continued vigilance against discrimination in all forms.