Racist acts are increasing sharply in France and the tolerance index towards minorities is declining, according to the CNCDH annual report

The National Consultative Commission on Human Rights publishes each year different indicators measuring racism and anti-Semitism in France.

Three days before the first round of the legislative elections, for which the National Rally is favored in the polls, the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) notes in its annual report published Thursday June 27 a decline in the index of tolerance towards minorities and a sharp increase in racist acts in France. For the second consecutive year, the tolerance index (ILT) fell by 3 points between November 2022 and November 2023, to stand at 62 out of 100 (100 being the maximum tolerance index), according to this study.

The largest drop in ILT was for Jews (68 out of 100, compared to 72 out of 100 the previous year). More generally, the hierarchy of acceptance of minorities “lasts over time”notes the commission. “The most accepted groups are blacks and Jews, followed by North Africans, then Muslims.”she explains, adding that “the most rejected groups” are “Roma and Travelers”.

The CNCDH observes, however, that the overall tolerance index (62) remains at a relatively high level compared to its evolution over the last three decades. This means that the “France is not generally racist, because the tolerance index is high”analyzes Jean-Marie Burguburu, the president of the commission, on France Inter.

The report nevertheless mentions a year of 2023 marked by a sharp increase in racist acts (+32%), with, again, an explosion in anti-Semitic acts (+284%). Beyond reactions to the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on October 7 and subsequent Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, several factors can explain this development. “very worrying”according to the CNCDH: “the polarization of relative debates” to the immigration bill, “the riots which followed the death of Nahel killed by police shooting” in Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine), the attack against Professor Dominique Bernard in Arras (North) and the violence which followed the death of Thomas in Crépol (Drôme).

The report also notes “a significant deterioration in the perception of immigration”. Thus, 56% of French people (+3 points) believe that“there are too many immigrants in France” and 51% (+3 pts) that“Today in France, we no longer feel at home like we used to”. For the CNCDH, this rejection is “closely linked to the rejection of a France perceived as being increasingly multicultural”. The share of French people believing that “Foreigners should have the same rights as French people” fell 5 points to 52%.

The independent institution also comes out of its reserve for the second time to call on the French not to vote for the National Rally in the legislative elections. “The first time was in 2002 when Jean-Marie Le Pen reached the second round of the presidential election”, remembers Jean-Marie Burguburu. The president of the CNCDH justifies this call to block the extreme right, ensuring that “the National Rally program tramples fundamental rights underfoot”.

This annual barometer is based on an Ipsos survey for the CNCDH. This report was carried out in November 2023 with a sample of 1,210 people aged over 18, using the quota method. This is a “longitudinal index of tolerance, that is to say an examination of prejudices against minorities, people of foreign origin, North Africans, people of non-white skin, Jewish or supposed Jewish people”, explains Jean-Marie Burguburu, president of the Commission. He specifies that these “cross-interviews” make it possible to “determine what the tolerance is towards these minorities”.