These are 18 independent experts, who make up the UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Cerd), and whose remarks have irritated the French authorities. Friday, July 7, the Cerd asked France to ensure that the investigation into the death of Nahel, whose death caused an outbreak of violence, is “thorough and impartial”.
In a statement, this committee of independent experts “responsible for monitoring the application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination by States Parties” expressed its concerns. And made a number of recommendations regarding racial profiling and “excessive use of force by law enforcement.”
In this statement, Cerd also called for “to adopt legislation that defines and prohibits racial profiling and to develop clear guidelines for law enforcement officials, in particular the police, which prohibit racial profiling in police operations, discriminatory identity checks and any other racist behaviour”.
Murders “in virtual impunity”
He said he was deeply concerned about “the continuing practice of racial profiling combined with the excessive use of force in law enforcement, particularly by the police, against members of minority groups, including people of African and Arab origin”. According to the committee, this situation “frequently translates into recurrent killings, disproportionately, with virtual impunity”.
The experts also deplored “the looting and destruction of private and public property as well as reports of mass arrests and detentions of demonstrators”. The UN committee welcomed the opening of an investigation into the circumstances that led to Nahel’s death. But he asked Paris “to ensure quickly that the investigation into the circumstances” which led to his death “is thorough and impartial, to prosecute the alleged perpetrators and, if found guilty, to punish them with ‘in a manner commensurate with the seriousness of the crime’.
“Unfounded” remarks, says Paris
The response from Paris was not long in coming. France “contests remarks which it considers excessive” and “unfounded” by the UN committee of experts, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday July 8. in a press release. According to the Quai d’Orsay, “any measure of ethnic profiling by the police (is) prohibited in France”. “The fight against the excesses of so-called ‘facies’ checks (has) intensified,” added the ministry.
“Any reported discriminatory behavior is followed up, and when proven, administrative or judicial sanction,” he added. The Quai d’Orsay argues that the police officer responsible for the fatal shooting “was immediately brought before the courts and is charged with intentional homicide”. According to the ministry, “the forces of order in France are subject to a level of internal, external and judicial control such as few countries know”.
France invited the Cerd “to show more discernment and moderation in its remarks, of which it regrets the partial and approximate nature”. She expressed her “incomprehension in the face of the lack of solidarity and compassion with regard to elected officials or representatives of French institutions who have been the subject of attacks […] as well as with regard to the 800 injured police officers, gendarmes and firefighters”.
In its press release, France recalled “that it is a State of law, respectful of its international obligations and in particular of the International Convention for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination”. “The fight against racism and all forms of discrimination is a political priority,” assured the ministry.