Wolves in the Sheepfold? – A statement signed by Libres MarianneS, The League of International Women’s Rights (LDIF), Unité Laïque, and OPS.

At the initiative of OPS and the feminists (present here), a statement was issued and signed by Libres MarianneS, The League of International Women’s Rights (LDIF), Unité Laïque, and OPS.

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Trad. fr

We were surprised to learn of the announcement made on Wednesday, July 9, by Minister Delegate Aurore Bergé, in charge of Equality between Women and Men and the Fight against Discrimination. The minister proposes to delegate the fight against online hate to a “coalition of around ten associations.” Among them are some groups known for their often vehement criticism of those who do not share their views, condemning any divergence while claiming the right to difference.

It is, moreover, troubling to see that these associations—who refuse open debate and rely on invective—already benefit from public funding, even though they often oppose the enforcement of the principle of secularism.

We are concerned by this decision of the State, which increasingly outsources responsibilities that fall within the realm of public service. The government now plans to delegate a sovereign mission—identifying hateful content—that properly belongs to public authority and the upholding of civil liberties.

We call for genuine reflection on effective strategies to combat hate speech. Why not strengthen the resources allocated to the Pharos platform rather than dispersing them among associations whose selection is questionable?

The Republic cannot delegate democratic discernment to actors, some of whom challenge its very foundations and are primarily engaged in partisan defense of their own objectives, without weakening and undermining this essential function.

We therefore call on the Minister Delegate for Equality between Women and Men and the Fight against Discrimination to reconsider this decision, which can only generate division without achieving its intended goal.

Libres Marianne(s)

League of International Women’s Rights (LDIF)

Observatoire La Petite Sirène (Observatory of Ideological Discourse on Children and Adolescents)

Unité Laïque

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