Nearly 1,400 anti-religious acts have been recorded in France since January 2021, a decrease of 17.2% compared to the same period in 2019, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on CNews on Tuesday, December 14.
1,380 facts were recorded between January and October, according to the ministry.
To read also "On the Koran I will cut your throat": in Nanterre, Catholics in procession victims of threats
In detail, 686 anti-Christian acts took place in 2021, against 921 in 2019, a decrease of 25%. Regarding anti-Semitic acts, the Ministry of the Interior recorded a decrease of 15%, 523 in 2021 against 617 in 2019. In addition, there was a 32% increase in anti-Muslim acts in 2021, 171 in 2021 against 129 in 2019.
On Wednesday December 8, around thirty faithful Catholics, who gathered in a torchlight procession between two churches in Nanterre, were attacked, insulted and threatened by several people.
"
I was extremely shocked by the facts that were reported to me of course, we encouraged the Diocese of Hauts-de-Seine to file a complaint,
" Gérald Darmanin said Tuesday on CNews, specifying that it was "
utterly unacceptable death threats
".
This weekend, "
unfortunately anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim acts took place, in particular a Muslim cemetery which was desecrated
", he continued.
On Saturday, the Muslim square in the Mulhouse cemetery was vandalized.
