The French commission Stasi is a commission set up to reflect upon the application of the laïcité principle. Named after the chair Bernard Stasi, ombudsman of the (French) Republic (médiateur de la République) since 1998, and consisting of 20 members, it was set up by the President Jacques Chirac on 3 July 2003. It reported its conclusions on 11 December 2003.[1] 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 ".[2]
Overviewedit
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.[3] During this time, the commission interviewed various representatives from different groups, for example religious leaders such as Cardinal Lustiger, intellectuals such as Régis Debray and Patrick Weil as well school headteachers, political leaders, equal-rights groups and social groups (for example the Ni Putes Ni Soumises).[4]
The commission emerged from public debates concerning the place of the hijab 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.
Principlesedit
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 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.
^Murat Akan, "Laïcité and multiculturalism: the Stasi Report in context," British Journal of Sociology (2009) 60#2 pp 237-256 online.
^Jennifer A. Selby, "Islam in France reconfigured: Republican Islam in the 2010 Gerin report." Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs 31.3 (2011): 383-398.
^France 5, Dossiers - Débat Public : La laïcité (La Commission Stasi)
stasi, commission, french, commission, stasi, commission, reflect, upon, application, laïcité, principle, named, after, chair, bernard, stasi, ombudsman, french, republic, médiateur, république, since, 1998, consisting, members, president, jacques, chirac, jul. The French commission Stasi is a commission set up to reflect upon the application of the laicite principle Named after the chair Bernard Stasi ombudsman of the French Republic mediateur de la Republique since 1998 and consisting of 20 members it was set up by the President Jacques Chirac on 3 July 2003 It reported its conclusions on 11 December 2003 1 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 laicite 2 Overview editJacques Chirac established the commission to reflect upon the principle of laicite and its application in France He appointed Bernard Stasi to oversee the commission 3 During this time the commission interviewed various representatives from different groups for example religious leaders such as Cardinal Lustiger intellectuals such as Regis Debray and Patrick Weil as well school headteachers political leaders equal rights groups and social groups for example the Ni Putes Ni Soumises 4 The commission emerged from public debates concerning the place of the hijab in French public life in relation to the principles of laicite in particular whether it was appropriate in state schools In addition the commission sought to more clearly define the application of laicite 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 laicite 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 laicite Principles editThe report espouses two key stances that emerge from the history of secularism in France state neutrality in regard to religion and freedom of thought 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 laicite for problems that are not covered by the 1905 French law on the Separation of the Churches and the State References edit Murat Akan Laicite and multiculturalism the Stasi Report in context British Journal of Sociology 2009 60 2 pp 237 256 online Jennifer A Selby Islam in France reconfigured Republican Islam in the 2010 Gerin report Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs 31 3 2011 383 398 France 5 Dossiers Debat Public La laicite La Commission Stasi http www assemblee nationale fr 12 rapports r1275 t2 asp bare URL Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Stasi Commission amp oldid 1108276294, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
