Prefecture Prohibits Pro-Life Manifestation, Allows Left Wing Counter Protests

Case information
Incident date
Country
France
Categories
  • Government Restrictions
Attack Against
  • Morals
Societal Sphere
  • Governmental
Religious Freedom / Discrimination
  • Exclusion (of individuals or ideas)
  • Freedom of Association and Assembly
  • Freedom of Expression

The French Christian pro life group "SOS Tout-petits" registered a manifestation against abortion to take place on Nov 19th in front of the Paris Hospital Tenon. Even though the request for the permit came in due time, the prefecture withdrew the permission last minute. Reasons given were that the manifestation could be a disturbance of the public order and safety could not be guaranteed. At the same time, pro-choice groups which had organized a counter manifestation, and who had violently attacked the pro-life group during previous manifestations were allowed to hold their manifestation by walking around the hospital.