“We have to conclude that Mr. Guyard has expressed on television accusations about a movement which he was not able to justify by means of a serious investigation. It results from [his] declarations that [he] was only aware of written testimonies from people saying they were victims of Anthroposophy, but that neither the writers of these mails, nor the presumed responsible persons in the Anthroposophy movement were heard by the Commission; the contradictory character of the required investigations exclusively amounted to sending a questionnaire to about 60 movements considered to be sectarian.”

“None of the documents produced are pertinent in regards to the accusations of mental manipulations, financial pressures, money diversions and medical practices putting sick people’s lives in danger,” the Court added, noting that the documentation relied on by Guyard was without “convincing value.” Yet, the reports by Guyard’s Commission, denounced by scholars, international human rights organizations and a French court as unscientific and biased, are being used to justify a bill to suppress and ban minority religions in France.

Human rights organizations and the leaders of the predominant churches in France have condemned the Picard Bill. In an Open Letter to Vivien, the Executive Director of the International Helsinki Federation stated that “Against non-traditional religions, Russia and France have an approach that contravenes their international obligations . . . the legislation that you are proposing could not easily be judged compatible with the notion of religious pluralism in a democratic society.” He described the proposal as repressive and added that “It goes to the heart of the right of freedom of association, expression, of religion and of conscience."

On October 6, 2000, a number of members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe signed a motion for a Resolution against the Picard Bill. It states that “The assembly is concerned by a proposition for a new law which would restrict religious freedom and which has been proposed and is close to final adoption in France.” “The Assembly’s Legal Affairs Committee has appointed a Rapporteur to follow up on this matter and religious discrimination in France.”