France passes law against inciting hatred against gays

Last Updated Wed, 22 Dec 2004 18:22:35 EST

CBC News

PARIS - The French government has passed a law that would jail a person for up to a year and impose fines of up to $60,000 for invoking hatred or violence against a person based on gender or sexual orientation.

France's Senate approved a bill previously passed in the National Assembly in early December to establish an authority to help victims of bias. The law was drafted after a young gay man was doused with gasoline and set on fire.

Media watchdogs and the Roman Catholic Church fear the new law could lead to self-censorship. The church says it could prevent clerics from expressing opposition to the legalization of same-sex marriages and some journalist groups fear recriminations should reporters speak out.

The group Reporters Without Borders has previously denounced the law saying it limits freedom of expression.

But gay rights groups lauded the move, saying it would ensure attacks against gays would be treated in the same way as racial discrimination.

"We are confronted with a rise in homophobia," Justice Minister Dominique Perben said. "We have the duty to stand up to this negative evolution."