Discrimination Against Scientologists and Other Minority Religious Members

The French government’s actions to stigmatize targeted groups have resulted in widespread discrimination against Scientologists and members of other minority religions. Scientologists and other targeted minorities are ostracized and disenfranchised due to their personal religious beliefs. Scientologists in any profession know that they risk losing their jobs, their businesses, and other rights and entitlements if their religious affiliation is discovered.

French officials such as Mr. Vivien have fueled this climate of intolerance by publicly urging and implementing a Scientology litmus test to exclude, isolate and ostracize Scientologists from every facet of society simply because of their personal opinions and beliefs. This policy is manifestly illegal and contrary to fundamental human rights.

Such discrimination includes blacklisting of Scientologists, leading to dismissal from and refusal of employment, boycotting businesses which are owned or employ Scientologists.

Government statements regarding Scientology have included the following inflammatory ad hominem attacks and McCarthyist pronouncements:

• When the President of MILS was asked to respond to the criticism made by the head of the prestigious cole pratiques des hautes tudes that MILS was becoming “hysterical,” he responded by saying “the accusation of hysteria is typical of the language of Scientology.” (La Vie, May 11, 2000).

• A British member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, who has spoken out in favor of non-discrimination, was described in the MILS 2000 report as “reportedly an adept of Scientology.” (MILS January 2000 Report at 27)

• In debating an anti-sect bill in Parliament, a French Senator stated: “the American Department of State counts among its members adepts of Scientology.” (Statement of Senator Derycke, Senate proceedings, December 16, 1999).

• Mr. Vivien, without providing evidence, alleged that an (unnamed) Scientologist had infiltrated the cabinet of an (unnamed) former President of the Republic and that another (unnamed) Scientologist had “attempted to infiltrate” the judicial police. (Agence France Presse, “France-Sect,” September 15, 1999).

• In April, the MILS President gave a speech that reported that a member of the U.S. delegation which he had met with was affiliated with the Church of Scientology, a statement that he has repeated subsequently on a number of occasions to the media. The statement is false.