Gilbert, J.; Keane, D.

Equality versus fraternity? Rethinking France and its minorities

Article

Gilbert, J. and Keane, D. 2016. Equality versus fraternity? Rethinking France and its minorities. International Journal of Constitutional Law. 14 (4), pp. 883-905. https://doi.org/10.1093/icon/mow059

Publication dates
Type	Article
Title	Equality versus fraternity? Rethinking France and its minorities
Authors	Gilbert, J. and Keane, D.
Abstract	The relationship between France and its minorities is complex, and often controversial. Traditionally, France has been against minority rights. French authorities have consistently eschewed the use of the term “minorities” and any form of targeted ethnic, religious, or linguistic measures. In practice, this has rendered minorities, along with systemic forms of discrimination, invisible. This article examines the pivotal role of the Constitutional Court in interpreting the principle of equality as a rejection of minority rights. It identifies fraternity as a dormant term within the French constitutional architecture, which could be triggered to open a pathway towards minority rights recognition. Examples from other jurisdictions, in particular India, illustrate the potential. In conclusion the paper argues that France needs a new interpretative approach, and activating fraternity as a constitutional principle offers the legal means by which this could be realized.
Publisher	Oxford University Press (OUP)
Journal	International Journal of Constitutional Law
ISSN	1474-2640
Electronic	1474-2659
Print	01 Oct 2016
Online	20 Jan 2017
Publication process dates
Deposited	19 Feb 2018
Accepted	12 Jul 2016
Output status	Published
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)	https://doi.org/10.1093/icon/mow059
Language	English

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