MPs remove word ‘race’ from laws

FRANCE has taken the first step to removing the word “race” from all legislation as demanded by President Hollande in his election campaign.

The Parti Socialiste helped vote through a Front de Gauche proposition in the National Assembly and Jean-Jacques Urvoas, president of the Laws Committe said they were making sure Hollande’s promise was not forgotten.

Hollande had called for the word “race” to be taken out of the constitution, saying it had no place in the Republic.

It is part of Article 1: “France is an indivisible, secular, democratic and social republic. It guarantees equality before the law for all citizens without distinction of origin, race or religion. It respects all beliefs.”

Socialist MPs amended the original wording of the Front de Gauche proposal to highlight their opposition to racism, anti-semitism and xenophobia.