France adopts tougher provisions for controversial Islam bill

The new amendments have apparently been created with the aim of fighting “extremism”

The French Senate passed the bill with 208 votes for and 109 votes against (AFP via Getty Images)

The French Senate has adopted a controversial bill which has been criticized for targeting Muslims. It includes several amendments that toughen provisions which were previously approved by the country’s National Assembly.

The Senate passed the bill, Consolidating Respect for the Principles of the Republic, with 208 votes for and 109 votes against. This came after two weeks of intense talks.

The new amendments are apparently aimed at fighting “extremism.” They include a ban on parents wearing visible religious symbols while accompanying their children on school trips and a ban on minor girls concealing their face or  “wearing religious symbols in the public space.”

Payers on university premises were also banned as well displaying “foreign flags” at weddings. The wearing of burkinis in public swimming pools was also banned, which has long been a subject of contention.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin also added a last-minute amendment, upon the request of President Emmanuel Macron, to fight against foreign interference at private schools.

This amendment will allow authorities to stop foreign organisations from setting up private schools in France, such as one which was set up in Albertville in southern France by Turkish Islamic association Milli Gorus.

The bill also provides legislative measures which are set to tackle online hatred, homeschooling, virginity certificates and polygamy. It also addresses regulations on foreign funding of religious associations, education and neutrality of the public service.

The legislation which was thought up by Macron’s government, has been widely criticized for targeting the entire French Muslim population and attempting to “secularize Islam” in France.

This news comes amid outrage within the French muslim community at the prospect of girls being prevented from wearing the Hijab, sparking the hashtag #HandsOffMyHijab.

Elsewhere, Amnesty International also warned that the proposed bill was “a serious attack on rights and freedoms in France” in a statement. 

The amended version of the Senate bill will now move to the Joint Committee. This committee will then decide whether to include or drop several of these amendments. It will then be brought before parliament for final approval.