Racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic insults and calls to hatred in lecture halls. The University of Lorraine filed a complaint in early December following several reports according to our information. Xenophobic remarks made by history students on the Saulcy campus in Metz. Five of them were arrested on Thursday, December 2 by the police, who are currently investigating to determine whether other university courses would also be concerned.
Calls to hatred and crimes
Racism that has become almost ordinary in the corridors of the Faculty of History of Metz “It’s oral, it’s uninhibited, without fear or apprehension and without too much shame“, notes Mathieu in third year, racist, homophobic and even anti-Semitic remarks. “Insults which do not remain in the private sphere, but on the contrary, which are launched in broad daylight, in amphitheatres, for example. The phenomenon is also spreading on social networks:”on Discord and on Facebook groups“, specifies the young man.
Racist abuse, calls for action against a number of students – Pierre Mutzenhardt, President of the University of Lorraine
By his side, several of his friends nod “Sometimes it is said in a joking tone, to convey something else …“, describes Arthur, another history student, it becomes commonplace because of the presidential election, with the arrival of certain candidates. On the boards, there were inscriptions: “Zemmour President”. Speech is freer against racism, anti-Semitism and homophobia“
A nauseating triptych that is found in many testimonies collected by the management of the university since mid-October. It is from these reports that the complaint was lodged with the Metz public prosecutor. “These are harsh words: racist slurs, calls for action against a number of students, on the basis of religion or other racism, calls for violence, or crimes, against them“, confides Pierre Mutzenhardt, president of the University of Lorraine.
From blame to exclusion from the university
Insults are verbal and can also be found in writing on social networks. For the moment, five students were arrested and interviewed by the police. The investigation is still underway to characterize the nature of the racist remarks made and to identify all of their perpetrators. The spotlight is on the Metz History Training and Research Unit (UFR), but other sectors could follow. The Nancy branch is currently not affected according to management.
There is a climate which is between astonishment and how to ensure that the courses are conducted in a peaceful manner – Pierre Mutzenhardt, President of the University of Lorraine
“We will launch an internal investigation, seize the disciplinary committee with sanctions that can range from a simple reprimand to the exclusion of the university, or universities, for a given time“, declares the president of the university, who condemned the racist insults in an email sent to some 400 students of History. The teachers crossed during the report did not want to express themselves on the affair, but Pierre Mutzenhardt l ‘assure: “There is a climate which is between astonishment and how to ensure that the courses are conducted in a peaceful manner.. “In order not to expose the incriminated students, distance courses will be offered to them,”to have a certain appeasement. “
This is not the first time that the University of Lorraine has been marred by a case of racial hatred. In 2019, an internal investigation was opened for racist messages exchanged by sociology students, but the justice system had not followed up.