The French commission Stasi is a commission set up to reflect upon the application of the ''
laïcité'' principle. Named after the chair
Bernard Stasi
Bernard Stasi (4 July 1930, Reims – 4 May 2011) was a French politician. He was the son of Italo-Mexican immigrants. Stasi served as Minister for Overseas Departments and Territories from 2 April 1973 to 27 February 1974.
From 1998 to 20 ...
,
ombudsman
An ombudsman (, also ,), ombud, ombuds, ombudswoman, ombudsperson or public advocate is an official who is usually appointed by the government or by parliament (usually with a significant degree of independence) to investigate complaints and at ...
of the (French) Republic (''médiateur de la République'') since 1998, and consisting of 20 members, it was set up by the President
Jacques Chirac
Jacques René Chirac (, , ; 29 November 193226 September 2019) was a French politician who served as President of France from 1995 to 2007. Chirac was previously Prime Minister of France from 1974 to 1976 and from 1986 to 1988, as well as Ma ...
on 3 July 2003. It reported its conclusions on 11 December 2003. The Report denounces "Islamism" as deeply opposed to the mainstream interpretations of French culture. It is portrayed as a dangerous political agenda that will create a major obstacle for Muslims to comply with
French secularism or "laïcité ".
Overview
Jacques Chirac established the commission to reflect upon the principle of ''
laïcité'' and its application in France. He appointed Bernard Stasi to oversee the commission. During this time, the commission interviewed various representatives from different groups, for example religious leaders such as
Cardinal Lustiger, intellectuals such as
Régis Debray
Jules Régis Debray (; born 2 September 1940) is a French philosopher, journalist, former government official and academic. He is known for his theorization of mediology, a critical theory of the long-term transmission of cultural meaning in hum ...
and
Patrick Weil
Patrick Weil (born 14 October 1956 in Neuilly sur Seine) is a political scientist. He is a senior research fellow at CNRS, at the Centre for the social history of the 20th century at the University of Paris 1. His research focuses on comparativ ...
as well school headteachers, political leaders, equal-rights groups and social groups (for example the
Ni Putes Ni Soumises
Ni Putes Ni Soumises (which roughly translates as ''Neither Whores nor Submissives'') is a French feminist movement, founded in 2002, which has secured the recognition of the French press and the National Assembly of France. It is generally depe ...
).
[http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/12/rapports/r1275-t2.asp ]
The commission emerged from public debates concerning the place of the
hijab
In modern usage, hijab ( ar, حجاب, translit=ḥijāb, ) generally refers to headcoverings worn by Muslim women. Many Muslims believe it is obligatory for every female Muslim who has reached the age of puberty to wear a head covering. While ...
in French public life in relation to the principles of laïcité, in particular whether it was appropriate in state schools. In addition the commission sought to more clearly define the application of laïcité in the workplace, public services and public spaces. To this end the Stasi Commission lead to the introduction of the
French law on secularity and conspicuous religious symbols in schools. Despite this apparent resolution to the questions concerning laïcité, the controversy surrounding the wearing of the hijab and the media attention paid to it has meant that it remains a source of disagreement within the political class.
In response to the commission's report Jacques Chirac called for the French public to unite around the principle of laïcité.
Principles
The report espouses two key stances that emerge from the history of secularism in France: state neutrality in regard to religion and
freedom of thought
Freedom of thought (also called freedom of conscience) is the freedom of an individual to hold or consider a fact, viewpoint, or thought, independent of others' viewpoints.
Overview
Every person attempts to have a cognitive proficiency by ...
particularly in relation to freedom of worship. The report also acknowledges that tensions arise between these two principles particularly in the spheres of the army, prisons, hospitals and education.
The Commission also called for the incorporation of 'accomodements raisonables' or
reasonable accommodation into the principles of laïcité for problems that are not covered by the
.
References
{{Reflist
Secularism in France
Islamic clothing controversy in Europe
Law about religion in France
2003 in France
2003 in religion
Freedom of religion