France's Top Court Upholds Hate Speech Convictions Against Far-Right Figure Zemmour
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France's highest court has upheld convictions against far-right politician Éric Zemmour for hate speech and defamation. The Court of Cassation rejected his final appeals on Monday, ending the legal process.
The convictions stem from televised comments Zemmour made in 2020 and 2021. He argued that unaccompanied migrant minors were "thieves, murderers, and rapists." The court ruled these statements collectively defamed an entire group and incited racial hatred.
Zemmour, a former presidential candidate, received fines totaling €10,000. He argued his statements were protected free speech, but the court found they exceeded legal limits.
This definitive ruling reinforces France's strict laws against hate speech. These laws prohibit public insults or defamation based on a person's origin, ethnicity, or religion.