Linking the boycott movement with racism or anti-Semitism is dangerous and encourages Israel to violate international humanitarian law
The French authorities must comply with the principles of the republic and not play double standards
Arab Organisation for Human Rights in UK (AOHR UK) stated that the French authorities’ pursuing activists of The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement bluntly violates a previous historic decision of the European Court of Human Rights and contradicts all the values on which France was founded.
The French authorities are obliged to respect and follow the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights instead of violating it, in a clear political move to criminalise all calls for boycotting Israel, added AOHR UK.
AOHR UK pointed out that the French Ministry of Justice orders to public prosecutors to pursue the BDS activists for claims of its association with anti-Semitism or racism is a serious matter which encourages Israel to violate the international humanitarian law and commit more crimes against Palestinians.
AOHR UK questioned the basis on which all values, principles and rights are being crushed when it comes to Israel, highlighting that the BDS movement is a human rights movement, not a religious one, and it uses boycotting to ensure the Palestinians obtain their rights.
The French decision comes amid an escalating human rights crisis in France and criticism of the French authorities in their treatment with the Arab and Muslim community.
AOHR UK called on the French government to respect the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights and the binding European legislation that transcends any domestic ruling or legislation, and not to violate the binding rules with aims to give illegal advantages to the occupation which disregards the rules of international humanitarian law.
