Racism surge in France, says report

Racism in France is on the rise according to a new report. It suggests that there has been a sudden surge in anti-Semitic activity and threats of violence against the North African Muslim community in France. 

The report, compiled by the National Consulting Commission for Human Rights (CNCDH) suggests that racist incidents doubled in 2009: a total of 1026 cases, 220 of which were violent, including 130 cases of physical abuse and 806 threats and acts of intimidation.

This compares to just 467 racist incidents in 2008 and 321 in 2007.

Almost a third of racial complaints were reported by the North African community and six sites of worship were attacked, compared to just two in 2008.

However the rights group urge caution when assessing the data due to a new system of collecting information which could distort figures. 

There was also a sharp increase in anti-Semitic behaviour with a 77.5 per cent rise in complaints and 815 incidents reported. The sharpest peak came shortly after the 2009 Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, says the CNCDH.

The report coordinator Marc Leyenberger said rising unemployment could be seen as a contributing to racist sentiment, as well as the debate on the banning of the burqa in public places.