UN racism rapporteur warns France's contested immigration bill is 'unequal'

France’s new immigration bill violates its constitution's commitment to equality and liberty, according to the United Nations special rapporteur on racism. The Constitutional Council is to rule Thursday on the constitutionality of the bill passed by lawmakers in December.

Protesters against France's immigration law hold banners that read, "Freedom, equality, fraternity" and "no to the immigration law" at the Trocadero Plaza near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, 21 January 2024. © Thomas Padilla/AP

"When we look at the French constitution or the way in which the head of state or many in positions of power speak, it's equality,” Ashwini KP, the UN’s special rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, told the Reuters news agency.

But the new legislation is “in strong contradiction to these policies".

The bill, backed by far-right lawmakers, includes quotas for migrants, gets rid of birthright citizenship, and makes it easier to strip someone of their French nationality if they have committed a crime.

Ashwini KP, who took her position in November, expressed particular concern over the proposed restrictions to social benefits for immigrants as well as increases in fees for foreign students, saying the measures would "impact marginalised communities".

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The independent expert said she hoped the Constitutional Council would make amendments to the legislation.

President Emmanuel Macron, who made immigration reform a key part of his second term agenda, referred the bill to the council, after drawing criticism that it passed with the support of the far right National Rally.

Tens of thousands of people across France have taken to the streets to protest against the bill, saying it betrays French values.

​​​​(Reuters)