The protection of the sacred in France: From cartoons to the Law to reinforce respect for the values of the Republic

Authors

  • Carmen Innerarity Grau Universidad Pública de Navarra

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18042/cepc/rep.195.01

Abstract

This paper analyses from a normative perspective the conflict that arose in France as a result of the publication of the Muhammad cartoons, currently renewed by the trial for the attacks of 2015 and which has prompted the law to reinforce the values of the Republic. It is based on the idea that this type of issue requires a political—normative approach, which evaluates institutions and procedures —secularism, in this case— considering the values that justify them —equality— and the context in which they operate. Based on the distinction between the different aspects of caricatures: their publication, their burlesque content, and their association with violence, it first shows a possible approach based on the criteria established by the Council of Europe on the limits of freedom of expression. It goes on to present a normative perspective, taking as a reference the values that the French law proposes to reinforce in order to combat radical islamism. It concludes, in addition to the inadequacy of a merely legal approach, that this type of values become intangible, something that does not admit criticism, contributing to the reinforcement of typically French assimilationism, to the detriment of the value of equality.

Published

2022-03-29

Issue

Section

ARTICLES