Nahel Murder: Discrimination Against French Immigrants Undermines the Alleged Core Values of French Revolution
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- France is once again grappling with the devastating consequences of discrimination against its citizens based on their origin and identity. The recent tragic murder of Nahel, a French teenager of Algerian origin, highlights the stark contrast between the treatment of French society members based on their skin color and religion, posing a significant challenge to the alleged values of the French Revolution.
Social scientists have pointed out the existence of two distinct societies within France. The first comprises individuals of French origin, who are often considered first-class citizens in their own country, simply due to their white skin. On the other hand, the second category of French people, distinguished by their religion, skin color, and place of residence—primarily the suburbs and large cities—face significant social, economic, and political disparities. These individuals were once derogatorily labeled as “scum” by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy during the infamous events of 2005, which shook both France and the world after the murder of two French citizens of non-French origin—similar to the tragic fate suffered by teenager Nahel.
However, the distinction between these categories is not solely based on identity markers but also encompasses social status. The social ills such as drug abuse and isolated crimes prevalent in these communities are not merely a result of inherent lawlessness, but rather a response to a deteriorating social reality exacerbated by political neglect on the part of French institutions.
The horrific murder of Nahel was captured on video by a witness near the scene. In the footage, a police officer callously fires his weapon at the driver through the window, at point-blank range. Shockingly, another officer present at the scene not only witnessed the crime but also failed to intervene, instead aiding in the cover-up of the incident. Furthermore, a widely circulated video containing the conversation between the victim and the police officers revealed death threats and debunked the officers’ false narrative, which claimed their lives were in danger. The footage undeniably exposed the fabrication of these accusations against the victim.
While these facts spread rapidly across social media, mainstream media coverage during the initial stages of the murder was notably lacking. This recurrence of events echoes the scenes witnessed during the 2005 Paris suburbs unrest, reinforcing the perception that the French state does not genuinely uphold the values of fraternity and equality for which the French Revolution supposedly stood more than two centuries ago.
The response from the French authorities to the events surrounding Nahel’s murder is telling. The deployment of approximately 40,000 police officers and gendarmes to quell the resulting demonstrations and the subsequent arrest of over a thousand protesters indicate that the issue at hand is not a mere momentary protest but a deep-seated crisis within French society. This crisis jeopardizes the rights of a disillusioned French population that is burdened by the contradictions it faces.
Leading French experts, including anthropologist Didier Fassin, acknowledge that residents of suburban areas have become accustomed to police aggression and the daily perils that endanger their lives. This trend has been exacerbated since the passage of the Public Security Law in 2017, which expanded the circumstances under which police officers can employ firearms. Fassin argues, “The social contract that binds the members of society presupposes a minimum of respect for human life, especially from those entrusted with protecting it. When the police unjustifiably take lives, this contract is shattered.”
Fassin further suggests that the demonstrators are attempting to convey the message that they represent the sole voice denouncing the dual injustices of police brutality and impunity, which often accompany cases of premeditated murder involving residents of suburban areas.
According to widely circulated estimates, the number of casualties resulting from police violence over the past five years has been four times higher than the previous two decades. This alarming statistic highlights a concerning trend that has exacerbated tensions and discrimination against a specific category of individuals in France.
Adding fuel to the fire are the emergence of politicians who lack a moral compass when it comes to citizenship, specifically those from the extreme right. These politicians unhesitatingly justify the actions of the police when they commit crimes against people residing in the suburbs, citing the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating crime. Their rhetoric of hate speech conveniently disregards the victims of police violence, further perpetuating a climate of impunity and marginalization. This situation not only erodes trust between marginalized communities and law enforcement but also undermines the values of justice, equality, and respect for human rights that society should strive to uphold.
