The deputies approve a text against anti -Semitism and racism at university – Liberation

The deputies approved at first reading this Wednesday, May 7, a senatorial bill aimed at combating anti -Semitism and racism in higher education, which notably provides for the creation of a « Common disciplinary section » to establishments of the same academic region.

The text relating to the fight « Against anti -Semitism, racism, discrimination, violence and hatred in higher education »carried by the deputies Constance le Grip (Renaissance) and Pierre Henriet (Horizons), was adopted by 131 votes for and 28 against, only LFI and the communist group voting against. It was unanimously approved in the Senate on February 20. The bill followed a « flash » information mission launched in the upper chamber after the charges of anti -Semitism having accompanied holding a pro-Palestinian conference in Sciences-Po Paris.

« Not a single student should hesitate to go to class because he fears to be exposed to anti -Semitism»»hammered at the opening of discussions on Tuesday the Minister of Higher Education, Philippe Baptiste. « Since October 7, 2023, we have witnessed an alarming increase in anti -Semitic acts in our society, and higher education, unfortunately, has not been spared »he added.

The debates quickly tense in the hemicycle, LFI often being isolated in the face of criticisms of the government coalition and the extreme right. Reproaching the government « To instrumentalize anti -Semitism to silence the voices for peace on genocide in Palestine »LFI has in return seen accused of contributing to the rise of anti -Semitism and electoral opportunism.

The deputies restored article 3, deleted in committee, creating a « Common disciplinary section » to establishments of the same academic region. A government amendment said it could only be seized by the president or director of each establishment, not by the rector of the academic region, with the ambition to respond to concerns about the autonomy of establishments.

The deputy LFI Louis Boyard was concerned about the creation of an body in the hand of the Minister of Higher Education who will have « The power to exclude students from their university ».

According to the text, the new section will be chaired by a member of the administrative jurisdiction and will include “Representatives of the administration, establishments, representatives of teaching staff and representatives of users. So, you cannot say that one would be in free will and that it would be the government that would have a hand on this section « replied Pierre Henriet.