DOCSLIB.ORG

Report to the Prime Minister 2008

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Report to the Prime Minister 2008 PREMIER MINISTRE REPORT TO THE PRIME MINISTER 2008 F Interministerial Mission of Vigilance and Combat against Sectarian Aberrations MIVILUDES This document is a translation of the French version. Only the original French version is legally binding. Contents Foreword by the Chairman ............................................................................... 5 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 7 Section 1 Sectarian risk ..................................................................................................... 11 Contribution of the general delegation for employment and professional training ..................................................... 13 Contribution by the Ministry of the Interior .................................................... 19 Satanic aberrations hit the headlines in Europe ........................................... 27 The Internet: amplifying the risk of sectarian aberrations ............................. 39 International influential strategies in 2008: examples of action by sectarian movements within the UN.......................... 45 Section 2 Combating sectarian aberrations..........................................................57 Contribution by the Ministry of the Interior ................................................... 59 Assistance provided for the victims of sectarian aberrations in Europe ............................................................... 63 Section 3 Close-up: health risks................................................................................ 105 The misuse of psychotherapeutical practices for sectarian purposes................................................................. 107 Contribution of the Ministry of Health.......................................................... 117 Section 4 Administrative activities in 2008 ......................................................... 121 Ministries in 2008 ....................................................................................... 123 Les goals of the ministries in 2009 ............................................................. 143 Overview of Miviludes - 2008 ..................................................................... 155 Prospects for Miviludes - 2009 ................................................................... 165 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 171 Report to the Prime Minister ▼ 3 Appendices Law no 2008-1187 of 14 November 2008, relating to the status of witnesses before parliamentary investigatory commissions ............. 175 Circular issued by the Ministry of the Interior, Overseas and territorial authorities, dated 25 February 2008 on the "Combat against sectarian aberrations"................................................. 177 Circular issued by the Ministry of the Interior, Overseas and territorial authorities, dated 23 January 2009 on the "Guidelines by the Ministry of the Interior on the combat against sectarian aberrations in 2009" ...................................... 185 Parliamentary activities .......................................................................... 187 Addresses and useful links .................................................................... 199 4 MIVILUDES ▼ Foreword by the Chairman I would like to start by thanking my predecessor, the Prefect Jean-Michel Roulet, who breathed new life into the Interministerial Mission of Vigilance and Combat against Sectarian Aberrations during his three-year combat. This high ranking civil servant was undoubtedly able to find the right balance between respect for the fundamental freedoms which represent the foundation of the Republic and firmness when faced with behaviour breaching public order and the dignity of human beings. Catherine Katz worked at his side and provided the Mission with her precious experience as a magistrate which she now invests in a new cause, within the Interministerial Mission of Combat against drugs and addiction. Catherine has been replaced with another magistrate, Amélie Cladière, who immediately launched into structural reforms within the Miviludes. This activity report is therefore mainly the result of work by the previous team. This report focuses on new strategies and new risks of sectarian aberrations, particularly in the sectors of health, access to employment and professional training. The report also specifically refers to the decision of the Ministry of Health to create a monitoring tool dedicated to non conventional therapeutical practices, or the target set by the Ministry of Labour to prosecute sectarian movements if breaches of labour law are detected, such as the absence of remuneration or an employment contract, and the repeated intentions of the Ministry of the Interior, clearly stated in its circular of 25 February 2008, to "boost State action against sectarian aberrations". In this line, Miviludes, whose central mission is to coordinate the action of all public authorities, will attempt to ensure a more active presence in the field, in direct contact with the groups concerned and with all public actors or associations involved. In the same way, in view of transparency, Miviludes will report on its activities in all fields publically in the form of a bimonthly newsletter. The report also details the partnership agreement signed between Miviludes and the parliamentary-National Assembly channel to better inform our fellow citizens of the dangers and risks of sectarian aberrations detected in certain movements. Report to the Prime Minister ▼ 5 Once again, as was the case last year, this report focuses on the international nature of the sectarian phenomenon. At the invitation of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, of the OSCE, Miviludes travelled to Warsaw on 8 October 2008 to emphasise, in direct relation with the services of the Quai d’Orsay, the democratic and balanced nature of its initiatives and its respect for civil liberties and person freedoms. In view of optimising its goals, Miviludes has launched a restructuring program for its entities (General secretariat, Executive Operational Control Committee and Orientation Council) in view of becoming more effective and more operational. The Interministerial Mission of Vigilance and Combat against Sectarian Aberrations will therefore continue to reveal the commercial aims and psycho-spiritual techniques applied in the form of misleading appearances and used to achieve mental manipulation and other dangerous practices for individuals and fundamental freedoms with the same determination as in the past. The protection of the key interests which represent the very foundation of a democracy depend on this process. 6 MIVILUDES ▼ Introduction According to the many requests sent to the Documentation française, and the growing number of visitors to the web site of the Miviludes, the report issued by the Chairman of Miviludes to the Prime Minister is met with ever greater interest each year. In the last six years, this annual report has gained ground and extended its horizons, providing ever more complete and in-depth information on the sectarian phenomenon, and targeting an ever wider audience. The letters received by the Miviludes clearly demonstrate the wide and diversified audience reached and affected by the annual report, via various channels. This constant requirement for quality is a permanent challenge for member of personnel working for the Interministerial Mission or the services of the Ministries concerned, who all contribute to this report. This was particularly the case in 2008, a transition year for the Interministerial Mission of Vigilance and Combat against Sectarian Aberrations. A transition period due to the departure of Jean-Michel Roulet and the appointment of Georges Fenech as Chairman of Miviludes, due to the renewal of a significant proportion of the standing General secretariat, but also due to substantial modifications to work in the field, which led Miviludes to change its procedures when collaborating with public authorities, for which it is responsible for "encouraging the coordination of preventive and repressive action" (article 1 of the decree of 28 November 2002 founding the Miviludes) against dangerous or reprehensible behaviour in the form of sectarian aberrations. The removal of the departmental "Cells of vigilance" whose competences have been transferred to the "departmental councils for the prevention of delinquency, aid for victims and the combat against drugs, sectarian aberrations and gender violence" subsequent to the simplification of administrative procedures applied in 2007 must, according to the circular of 27 May 2005 from the Prime Minister on the combat against sectarian aberrations, be completed by the creation, within these departmental councils, of working groups specifically responsible for monitoring issues relating to the combat against sectarian aberrations. In the circular of 25 February 2008, the Minister of the Interior strongly requested that Prefects "boost the State's action in the combat against sectarian aberrations" and organise a meeting of these working groups once each quarter for this purpose to "centralise and compare information on any sectarian aberrations". Report to the Prime Minister ▼ Introduction 7 During the preparation and holding of these meetings, decentralised services became fully aware of the need to reinforce available information in the field
Load more

Recommended publications
  • New Religious Movements
    New Religious Movements New Religious Movements: Challenge and response is a searching and wide-ranging collection of essays on the contemporary phenomenon of new religions. The contributors to this volume are all established specialists in the sociology, theology, law, or the history of new minority movements. The primary focus is the response of the basic institutions of society to the challenge which new religious movements represent. The orientation of this volume is to examine the way in which new movements in general have affected modern society in areas such as economic organisation; the operation of the law; the role of the media; the relationship of so-called ‘cult’ membership to mental health; and the part which women have played in leading or supporting new movements. Specific instances of these relationships are illustrated by reference to many of the most prominent new religions – Hare Krishna, The Brahma Kumaris, The Unification Church, The Jesus Army, The Family’, The Church of Scientology, and Wicca. For students of religion or sociology, New Religious Movements is an invaluable source of information, an example of penetrating analysis, and a series of thought-provoking contributions to a debate which affects many areas of contemporary life in many parts of the world. Contributors: Eileen Barker, James Beckford, Anthony Bradney, Colin Campbell, George Chryssides, Peter Clarke, Paul Heelas, Massimo Introvigne, Lawrence Lilliston, Gordon Melton, Elizabeth Puttick, Gary Shepherd, Colin Slee, Frank Usarski, Bryan Wilson. Bryan Wilson is an Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. He is the author and editor of several books on sects and New Religious Movements.
    [Show full text]
  • What Is a Cult? the Mind Control Process in the FWBO
    Mind control as practised by Friends of the Western Buddhist Order Text by Mark Dunlop Legal Disclaimer The following information is based on experience of The Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO) in the UK, and should therefore be taken as applying only to FWBO bodies located in the UK. Readers in other parts of the world should make their own enquiries as to whether or not the information provided here is relevant to their local situation. The FWBO is a UK based religious charity, which also has about thirty centres in the rest of the world. The FWBO offers public classes in meditation, Buddhism, and related disciplines. They also run residential communities, retreat centres, fund-raising trusts, and various businesses, and they can be viewed on the Internet at: http://www.fwbo.org/index.html [WARNING: this is the cult's home page] This is one page of an ex - FWBO site. The purpose of the site is to inform a wider public about some of the harmful aspects of new religious movements and mind control cults in general, and of the FWBO in particular. The site is spread over a number of pages: Main page: The FWBO Files (140 kb text.) The following pages have been contributed by ex-member Mark Dunlop: Section 1: Shorter History and Teachings of The Friends of the Western Buddhist Order. (27 kb text.) Section 2 [this page]: What is a Cult? -The Mind Control Process in the FWBO (67 kb text plus 181 kb pictures) Section 5: Possible Legal Protection against Cults - 'gold dust', according to a leading British cult expert.
    [Show full text]
  • 2006-2010-France-MIVILUDES-OSCE.Pdf
    HDS.NGO/19/06 11 May 2006 SUBMISSION FROM CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL EUROPEAN HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE 10TH May 2006 Upholding the Rule of Law and Due Process in Criminal Justice Systems: Violations of the Right to Equal Protection and Non-Discrimination in Matters Relating to Religion in France and Belgium “All persons shall be equal before the courts and tribunals. In the determination of any criminal charge against him, or of his rights and obligations in a suit at law, everyone should be entitled to a fair and public hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law”. Art. 14(1) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. “All persons are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law. In this respect, the law will prohibit any discrimination and guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection against discrimination on any ground”. Para. 5.9, Document of the Copenhagen Meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension of the OSCE, Copenhagen 29 June 1990. Introduction The principles of equal protection and non-discrimination under the law are fundamental components of the rule of law. They ensure that all laws are applied uniformly and objectively, regardless of race, religion, gender, culture or minority status. These principles form a critical foundation to the right to a fair trial in criminal proceedings. OSCE participating States have committed themselves to adhering to the principles of equal protection and non-discrimination in the administration of criminal justice. This submission concerns the contravention of the right to a fair trial and the impartiality of the judiciary in cases regarding minority religious associations and their adherents in France and Belgium.
    [Show full text]
  • Researching New Religious Movements
    Researching New Religious Movements ‘The most important “first” that this book achieves is its bold questioning of the whole intellectual apparatus of the sociology of religion as it has been applied to the understanding of the new religious movements. I am confident that Elisabeth Arweck’s study will quickly become required reading in the sociology of new religious movements.’ Professor David Martin, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, London School of Economics, University of London ‘Powerful and original . it succeeds triumphantly in being at the same time an important, high-quality academic study and a book for our times.’ Professor David Marsland, Professorial Research Fellow in Sociology, University of Buckingham New religious movements such as Scientology, Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Unification Church (Moonies) are now well established in mainstream cul- tural consciousness. However, responses to these ‘cult’ groups still tend to be overwhelmingly negative, characterized by the furious reactions that they evoke from majority interests. Modern societies need to learn how to respond to such movements and how to interpret their benefits and dangers. Researching New Religious Movements provides a fresh look at the history and development of ‘anti-cult’ groups and the response of main- stream churches to these new movements. In this unique reception study, Elisabeth Arweck traces the path of scholarship of new religious move- ments, exploring the development of research in this growing field. She con- siders academic and media interventions on both sides, with special emphasis on the problems of objectivity inherent in terminologies of ‘sects’, ‘cults’, and ‘brainwashing’. Ideal for students and researchers, this much- needed book takes the debate over new religious movements to a more sophisticated level.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparing U.S
    COMPARING U.S. AND FRENCH MODELS OF CRIMINAL PRE-TRIAL INVESTIGATION PARTY-PROSECUTOR v. NEUTRAL JUGE D’INSTRUCTION A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE STANFORD PROGRAM IN INTERNATIONAL LEGAL STUDIES AT THE STANFORD LAW SCHOOL, STANFORD UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF THE SCIENCE OF LAW By Virginie Laure Schwartz April 2007 © Abstract The criminal procedure of the United States is being exported to France. It started with “pick-and-choose” reforms, such as the cross-examination of trial witnesses and the guilty plea mechanism. In late 2005, a bill was presented to the French legislature to vote on the abolition of the “investigating magistrate” (juge d’instruction) and follow the adversarial Anglo-Saxon judicial structure, thus transferring his fact-finding role to the public prosecution service. In France, the preparation of criminal matters for trial is directed, not by the prosecutor with the assistance of investigating agencies, as is the case in the United States, but by a judge, distinct from the prosecutor, who is positioned between the latter and the putative criminal defendant. His raison d’être is to uncover the truth through “seeking out both incriminating and exculpatory evidence (instruction à charge et à décharge);” he does not take part in the adjudication phase. This thesis raises the overlooked issue of the impact of the party affiliation of the prosecutor on the orientation of the pre-trial investigation and, consequently, its results. This thesis claims that it is a material determination to make, given (i) the distinctive nature of the virtue of impartiality of the investigating magistrate, (ii) the fact that the impossibility to fulfill such obligation is offered as one of the main justifications for abolishing this institution, and (iii) the conventional wisdom opinion that prosecutors, because they are the charging authority, are biased towards a finding of guilt.
    [Show full text]
  • Rebuilding the Jigsaw Gillie Jenkinson Spent Years in an Abusive Cult
    People Rebuilding the jigsaw Gillie Jenkinson spent years in an abusive cult. Now she specialises in counselling others recovering from similar experiences was thrilled when I discovered a psychological perspective, which caused cognitive dissonance in many Christianity in my late teens. The acknowledges the potential for harm: of the members, cognitive dissonance Ipeople I met were well meaning and ‘A group or movement that, to a being the emotional state set up when many were genuinely kind. Christianity significant degree there is a conflict between belief and answered many existential and I exhibits great or excessive devotion behaviour5. It was a confusing and emotional questions for me, but or dedication to some person, idea, terrifying milieu to live in, and the sadly, at that stage in my life, I had or thing psychological imprisonment, like the neither learned to think critically nor I uses a thought-reform programme dog in the electrocuted cage that does was I encouraged to do so. to persuade, control, and socialise not realise the door is open, was nearly I did not have a close mentor who members (ie to integrate them into total for me. At that point in my life, could help me make safe choices; the group’s unique pattern of I was living in an environment of indeed I did not think I needed to be relationships, beliefs, values and total control. wary; and my passion led me down a practices) I lost myself completely and had no road into ‘community’ (the in-thing in I systematically induces states of thought of leaving – that would have the 1970s) and into what ultimately psychological dependency in been ‘rebellion’ and the punishment became an abusive cult.
    [Show full text]
  • Does ISIS Satisfy the Criteria of an Apocalyptic Islamic Cult? an Evidence-Based Historical Qualitative Meta-Analysis
    Publications 2017 Does ISIS Satisfy the Criteria of an Apocalyptic Islamic Cult? An Evidence-Based Historical Qualitative Meta-Analysis Diane Maye Zorri Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, [email protected] Bruce Barron University of Rochester, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.erau.edu/publication Part of the Near and Middle Eastern Studies Commons, Other Political Science Commons, Other Psychology Commons, and the Peace and Conflict Studies Commons Scholarly Commons Citation Barron, B. and Maye, D.L., 2017. Does ISIS satisfy the criteria of an apocalyptic Islamic cult? An evidence- based historical qualitative meta-analysis.. Journal of Terrorism Research, 8(1), pp.18–33. DOI: http://doi.org/10.15664/jtr.1264 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Publications by an authorized administrator of Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Does ISIS satisfy the criteria of an apocalyptic Islamic cult? An evidence- based historical qualitative meta-analysis by Bruce A. Barron and Diane L. Maye This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. Abstract The U.S. has been battling ISIS and its forerunners for over two decades; however, ISIS continues to endure and expand. While described as a death cult by some political leaders and other key stakeholders, this assertion received little consideration in the scholarly literature. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether ISIS satisfied the criteria of an apocalyptic Islamic cult through the application of a historical qualitative research design and meta-analysis.
    [Show full text]
  • United Nations - Universal Periodic Review Third Session of UPR Council, January-February 2013
    Centre of Information and Counseling on New Spiritualities United Nations - Universal Periodic Review Third session of UPR Council, January-February 2013 CICNS – Individual UPR submission concerning France Table of contents A. Preamble ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2 B. Anti-cult propaganda based on the use of fear .......................................................................................................... 2 C. Use of pseudo-scientific concepts............................................................................................................................... 3 D. Violent and institutionalized repression ....................................................................................................................... 3 E. An Anti-cult „arsenal‟ which is unique in its own way ................................................................................................. 4 F. Faked common law ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 G. France: contempt and denial in international bodies ................................................................................................. 5 H. Summary ...................................................................................................................................................................... 6 I.
    [Show full text]
  • Miviludes 2012 Execouv.Indd
    MIVILUDES 13, rue Vaneau Mission interministérielle de vigilance et de lutte contre les dérives sectaires 75007 Paris www.derives-sectes.gouv.fr Après avoir examiné, les années précédentes, la situation des mineurs au regard du risque de dérives sectaires, puis les dangers de nature sectaire qui peuvent sur- gir de certaines pratiques de santé, la Miviludes évalue, dans ce rapport, le risque chez une catégorie de personnes particulièrement vulnérable, nos anciens. Ma- 2011 - 2012 lades, isolés, installés en établissements d’accueil pour personnes âgées ou restant à leur domicile, ils constituent une cible de choix pour les mouvements à caractère sectaire. Aussi la Miviludes formule-t-elle un certain nombre de propositions visant à améliorer leur protection en ce domaine. De même, les victimes de mouvements sectaires qui cherchent à se ré-insérer 2011-2012 dans la société ont besoin souvent d’appuis spécifiques. Aussi a-t-elle réuni, dans cette perspective, un groupe de travail constitué d’associations et de représentants d’institutions variées en vue de proposer des mesures, tant sur le plan sanitaire que social, visant à réduire les difficultés que rencontrent les ex-adeptes. E RAPPORT R L’ entrisme des mouvements à caractère sectaire dans la vie professionnelle continue de mobiliser l’attention de la Miviludes. À ce titre, la Mission exerce une veille attentive sur les risques dans le domaine de la formation professionnelle, en AU PrEMIER MINISTRE particulier celui du développement personnel. Elle ne manque pas de rappeler ici MINIST R où se situe exactement le risque. L’ année 2011 a été marquée par la célébration du dixième anniversaire de la loi EMIE About-Picard, dont on trouvera l’écho dans ce rapport sous la forme des actes du Pr colloque qui s’est tenu à l’Assemblée nationale.
    [Show full text]
  • France Page 1 of 14
    France Page 1 of 14 France BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR International Religious Freedom Report 2009 October 26, 2009 The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and other laws and policies contributed to the generally free practice of religion; however, discriminatory treatment of Jehovah's Witnesses and Scientologists remained a concern. Some religious groups voiced opposition to legislation passed in 2001 and 2004, which provides for the dissolution of groups under certain circumstances and bans the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols by public school employees and students. A 1905 law on the separation of religion and state prohibits discrimination on the basis of faith. The Government generally respected religious freedom in practice, but there continued to be concerns about the treatment of some minority religious groups. There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom by the Government during the reporting period. A 2004 law prohibiting the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols in public schools by employees and students continued to be implemented during the reporting period. The Government has a stated policy of monitoring potentially "dangerous" cult activity through the Inter-Ministerial Monitoring Mission against Sectarian Abuses (MIVILUDES). Discrimination against Jehovah's Witnesses, Scientologists, and other groups considered dangerous sects or cults remained a concern and may have contributed to acts of vandalism against these groups. Some groups expressed concern that MIVILUDES publications contributed to public mistrust of minority religions. There were reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice; however, prominent societal leaders took positive steps to promote religious freedom.
    [Show full text]
  • As a Charitable Purpose
    FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT? THE CASE FOR REMOVING ‘THE ADVANCEMENT OF RELIGION’ AS A CHARITABLE PURPOSE Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................ 4 1. Introduction: Why it’s time to re-think faith and charity .......................................... 6 2. What is a charity? .............................................................................................10 3. The public benefit test: does the advancement of religion pass? .......................... 13 4. Case Studies: Religious charities with dubious public benefit .............................. 21 5. Case Studies: Charities that do more harm than good .........................................24 6. Are charity regulators best placed to define “religion”? ........................................ 36 7. Is religion having charity forced upon it? ............................................................. 40 8. The future ........................................................................................................ 43 FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT? The case for removing ‘the advancement of religion’ as a charitable purpose Executive Summary Charitable endeavour is about benefiting society. With public confidence in charities at an all-time low, it has never been more important for charities to demonstrate how they contribute to society and make a positive difference. The benefit provided by most of the 13 “charitable purposes” set out in the Charities Act 2011 is clear. The benefits of relieving
    [Show full text]
  • ECPM Together Against the Death Penalty ACTIVITY REPORT 2016 CONTENTS
    ACTIVITY REPORT 2016 ECPM TOGetHER AGAINST THE DEATH peNALTY ACTIVITY REPORT 2016 CONTENTS EditoriaL 3 Strengthened international action in 2016 3 ECPM acts everywhere in the world 3 RESULTS 4 ECPM’s Main Activities on the Ground in 2016 4 UnitinG 5 6th World Congress Against the Death Penalty 5 www.ecpm.org En route towards the 7th World Congress 7 StrenGTHENING 8 Taking Action in a Changing Arab World 8 The key moments of 2016 9 Summary of the Morocco project 9 Supporting Parliamentarians from French-Speaking Sub-Saharan Africa 10 Developing the Abolitionist Movement in South East Asia 10 AdvocatinG 11 Diplomacy and Advocacy 11 Iran Under Constant Surveillance 11 ECPM’s Work at the United Nations 12 Campaign for a Moratorium 12 NHRIs: Emerging Actors 12 Responding urgently to a death sentence 12 and supporting abolition activists 12 Justice and Prison 12 EDUcatinG 13 Teaching citizens about human rights and abolition of the death penalty 13 Meeting French young people 13 The volunteer group moves into action! 14 Fundraising contact: : Ariane Grésillon Teaching beyond our borders 14 Email : [email protected] They work with ECPM 14 VOLUnteerS 15 Director: Raphaël Chenuil-Hazan Email : [email protected] Take action with Ecpm against the death penalty and discrimination 15 69, rue Michelet COMMUnication tooLS 16 93100 Montreuil - France ECPM promotion 16 Tel. : +33 1 57 63 03 57 Communication to serve advocacy 16 Fax : +33 1 80 87 70 46 Email : [email protected] THE ORGANISation 17 Developing the structure, functioning www.ecpm.org and management
    [Show full text]