CRITICAL ESSAY:
Being a Muslim in France: A continuous
and systematic discrimination
Andrea Izaguirre Blanco
Model United Nations: Diplomatic Skills
Ignacio Rigau and Aleksandra Semeriak
, Being a Muslim in France: A continuous and systematic discrimination
Andrea Izaguirre Blanco
As one of the Human Rights Defenders of France, is impossible to ignore the lack of
action and countless mistakes the French Government has committed against its own
population. However, throughout this essay, only one will be addressed: the
discrimination against Muslims in French territory, which has already lasted decades.
Therefore, exercising the functions of a Human Rights Defender, hence, being a firm
believer in the rights and liberties of all people, is time for the international community
to take action and prioritize an issue that has worsened over time.
A part of human history is characterized by colonialism and France is not excluded from
having a colonial past of their own, being the reason why nowadays is home to one of the
largest Muslim populations in Europe, representing almost ten per cent of the total
population in 20201. However, despite the long period of time shared, France does not
treat them as first-class citizens. According to the government's own figures, 42% of
Muslims have declared feeling discriminated for their religion and a recent YouGov
survey found that 64% of French Arab Muslims feel their ethnicity is perceived as
negative2. Therefore, having a European nationality is no guarantee of avoiding the
continuous discrimination that has increased the lack of representation and economic
disadvantages Muslims face across all sectors of society. Therefore, throughout this essay,
will be explained and demonstrated how the Government of France has gone against the
human rights and fundamental freedoms of part of their population because of their
religion and ethnicity. Moreover, it will also be stated which procedure or mechanism
provided by the United Nations Human Rights Council should be implemented to
improve the life quality of those who are not being treated equally. Hence, solve the issue
the country is immersed in even when their own actions have contributed to the
aggravation of the situation.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (1948), recognized by the Republic
of France, establishes in Article 1 the following: “All human beings are born free and
equal in dignity and rights” and Article 2: “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and
freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind…”3. “Liberté,
Égalité, Fraternité” are the three words that personified the revolution of 1789 and
1
Dönmez, Ü. (2023).
2
Francois, M. (2020).
3
United Nations (1948).
2
Being a Muslim in France: A continuous
and systematic discrimination
Andrea Izaguirre Blanco
Model United Nations: Diplomatic Skills
Ignacio Rigau and Aleksandra Semeriak
, Being a Muslim in France: A continuous and systematic discrimination
Andrea Izaguirre Blanco
As one of the Human Rights Defenders of France, is impossible to ignore the lack of
action and countless mistakes the French Government has committed against its own
population. However, throughout this essay, only one will be addressed: the
discrimination against Muslims in French territory, which has already lasted decades.
Therefore, exercising the functions of a Human Rights Defender, hence, being a firm
believer in the rights and liberties of all people, is time for the international community
to take action and prioritize an issue that has worsened over time.
A part of human history is characterized by colonialism and France is not excluded from
having a colonial past of their own, being the reason why nowadays is home to one of the
largest Muslim populations in Europe, representing almost ten per cent of the total
population in 20201. However, despite the long period of time shared, France does not
treat them as first-class citizens. According to the government's own figures, 42% of
Muslims have declared feeling discriminated for their religion and a recent YouGov
survey found that 64% of French Arab Muslims feel their ethnicity is perceived as
negative2. Therefore, having a European nationality is no guarantee of avoiding the
continuous discrimination that has increased the lack of representation and economic
disadvantages Muslims face across all sectors of society. Therefore, throughout this essay,
will be explained and demonstrated how the Government of France has gone against the
human rights and fundamental freedoms of part of their population because of their
religion and ethnicity. Moreover, it will also be stated which procedure or mechanism
provided by the United Nations Human Rights Council should be implemented to
improve the life quality of those who are not being treated equally. Hence, solve the issue
the country is immersed in even when their own actions have contributed to the
aggravation of the situation.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (1948), recognized by the Republic
of France, establishes in Article 1 the following: “All human beings are born free and
equal in dignity and rights” and Article 2: “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and
freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind…”3. “Liberté,
Égalité, Fraternité” are the three words that personified the revolution of 1789 and
1
Dönmez, Ü. (2023).
2
Francois, M. (2020).
3
United Nations (1948).
2
