As demonstrations take place across France, a UN rapporteur on racism criticizes the immigration law

Des manifestations contre la loi Immigration ont eu lieu partout en France ce dimanche. MAXPPP – Julien Mattia/Le Pictorium

A month after the adoption of the immigration law in Parliament, tensions persist. Demonstrators against the text gathered in several cities this Sunday, January 21.

The immigration law adopted last month in Parliament violates France's constitutional commitment to equality and freedom, said the special rapporteur of' 39;UN on racism, while demonstrators against the text gathered in several cities including Montpellier and Nîmes and even Alès this Sunday January 21.

"When we look at the French Constitution or the way the head of state or many people in positions of power express themselves, (they talk) about equality, but it is in sharp contradiction with these policies", said Ashwini K.P., special rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, in a telephone interview with Reuters over the weekend.

Decision on January 25

The immigration bill was adopted in December with difficulty after the establishment of a joint committee which retained certain defended provisions in the final version from the right and the extreme right.
The text, on which the National Rally claimed an "ideological victory", caused unease within the presidential majority and the government, pushing the then Minister of Health, Aurélien Rousseau, upon resignation.

President Emmanuel Macron said "assume" the law, currently being examined by the Constitutional Council to remove doubts about certain provisions of the text. The Council is expected to announce its decision this Thursday, January 25.
The law provides for migration quotas, obstacles to family reunification and deadlines for migrants' access to social benefits, as well as articles canceling the automatic right to citizenship at birth and facilitating expulsion foreign nationals.

A big impact on "marginalized communities"

Ashwini K.P. was particularly concerned about the proposed restrictions on social assistance for migrants, the increase in registration fees and by the introduction of a refundable deposit for foreign students, believing that these measures would have a considerable impact on "marginalized communities".

She says she hopes that the Constitutional Council will make amendments. "The UN special rapporteurs are independent figures whose positions are their sole responsibility", the Elysée responded to Reuters .