PARIS — Cases of racism in France saw a significant rise of 32% in 2023, as highlighted in a report by the French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) released on Thursday.

The report noted a decline in tolerance towards minority groups across France, particularly impacting the Jewish community, with Muslims facing the highest levels of intolerance.

The Interior Ministry reported the overall increase in racist incidents, attributing the sharpest rise to antisemitic cases, which surged by 284%.

Factors contributing to these figures include ongoing conflicts such as Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip since October 7, and divisive national debates surrounding asylum and migration policies, according to the CNCDH. Statistical data revealed that approximately 1 million individuals experienced at least one racist incident in 2023.

The report underscored a growing sentiment of discomfort among French citizens, with 51% expressing not feeling at home in their own country, marking an increase of eight percentage points from the spring of 2022. Additionally, 56% of respondents, up seven points from the previous year, believed that France was hosting too many immigrants.

These statistics reflect the current political and social climate in France, notably with the rise of the far-right National Rally (RN) party, which secured over 30% of the vote in the European Parliament elections held in June. This electoral success prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to acknowledge defeat for his centrist bloc, dissolve parliament, and call for snap elections.

RN leader Jordan Bardella emphasized migration as a central issue, citing its strain on public finances and the social security system as unsustainable. Bardella pledged to reduce migration, abolish birthright citizenship, streamline deportation procedures for foreign criminals, and implement economic reforms.

France's upcoming elections will be conducted in two rounds, scheduled for June 30 and July 7. — Agencies