Advancing legislative measures
A solid and effective legal framework is essential in the fight against hate speech, necessitating the implementation of preventive, punitive and rehabilitation measures.
By establishing clear laws and regulations that explicitly define and prohibit hate speech, we create an environment preventing its proliferation.
Through a combination of legal recourse and proactive initiatives, we can work towards a society where hate speech is prevented, addressed, and penalised.
To achieve this and foster a harmonious sport community for all, our six partners have implemented both administrative and criminal punitive measures, along with rehabilitation programmes for offenders and those affected by hate speech.
#SportIsRespect
Country: France
Organisation responsible: French National Assembly
Main topic addressed: Fight against physical violence against referees
Type of resource/practice: Legislation
Approach: Penalisation and rehabilitation of the offender
Target group(s): Referees
Timing: 2006
Language: French
Brief description of the practice: French legislation providing better and specific protection for referees against acts of violence and hatred.
Context and objectives: Provisions of a law addressing the acts of violence committed against referees (Act no. 2006-1294) were incorporated within the French Sport Code. It improves their protection and increases the sanctions towards those who committed the acts of hatred as the referees are now “considered to be entrusted with a public service mission” (article L223-2 of the French Sports Code).
Thus, they benefit from specific protection under criminal law for certain acts of violence committed against them.
This regime of sanctions adds to another provision of the French Sports Code (article L332-6) which punish any incitation to hatred towards referees, sports judge, players or any other person or group of persons during a sport event/broadcast.
Further information:
Article L223-2 - Code du sport - Légifrance (legifrance.gouv.fr)
Article L332-6 - Code du sport - Légifrance (legifrance.gouv.fr)
