France arms itself with legal weapon to fight sects - 2001-06-01

France arms itself with legal weapon to fight sects June 1, 2001, Jon Henley, The Guardian

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France has become the first country in the world to introduce specific legislation aimed at controlling the activities of cults. The objective is to combat the 175-odd movements of a quasi-religious nature considered a danger to society.

The Scientology movement and the Unification Church of the Rev Sun Myung Moon immediately denounced the bill - endorsed almost unanimously on Wednesday by national assembly deputies - as anti-democratic and in breach of human rights laws. Roman Catholic and Protestant leaders have expressed disquiet.

But the justice minister, Marylise Lebranchu, described it as "an important, even a vital law to protect human liberties".

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{{cite news | first = Jon | last = Henley | title = France arms itself with legal weapon to fight sects | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/jun/01/jonhenley | work = The Guardian | date = June 1, 2001 | accessdate = March 3, 2017 }}