France

The Holy See reported four cases of grave desecrations. One of these cases, which was also reported by the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians, involved damage to a church building. Another case of damage to a church and two further cases of vandalism were also reported by the Holy See. French authorities notified ODIHR that they cannot provide information about individual cases.

The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians reported 18 incidents of the desecration to places of worship – two of which included burglary– three incidents of arson, two incidents of damage to property and one incident of graffiti. The European Association of Jehovah's Christian Witnesses / Jehovah’s Witnesses – France reported one physical assault causing serious injury; a further 25 physical assaults, two of which involved the use of weapons; six threats; one attempted arson attack on a place of worship; five incidents of damage to property; 29 incidents of the desecration of places of worship; and four incidents of graffiti on places of worship. World Without Nazism reported one physical assault on a Catholic priest, 12 incidents of the desecration of places of worship, and two incidents of the desecration of places of worship.

The Jewish Community Security Service reported one attempted murder; 49 physical assaults, including one assault resulting in serious injury against a rabbi and his son; one assault against a Jewish family, in which an iron bar was used as a weapon; and one threat against the same school in Toulouse where a shooting took place in 2012. The organization also reported one arson attack; 52 incidents of damage to property, including synagogues, and one case where the wall of a Jewish school was urinated on; and 119 incidents of graffiti.

The Association Against Islamophobia in France (CCIF) reported 38 physical assaults, including 11 causing injuries and four in which weapons were used. Racism Islamophobia Watch reported one physical assault resulting in serious injury against a Muslim woman, during which the woman’s headscarf was also pulled off her head and ripped; three incidents of the desecration of mosques, including one where a pig’s head was left outside; and one incident of damage to a home.

World Without Nazism reported one physical assault against a pregnant Muslim woman wearing a headscarf, causing serious injury; a further three physical assaults, including one against a Muslim girl who was wearing a headscarf; one attempted physical assault; 17 incidents of the desecration of mosques, including three incidents where pork, and, in one case, a pig’s head, were left outside; two arson attacks, including one against a mosque; and one incident of graffiti on several buildings.

Transgender Europe reported the murder of a transgender woman, in which a hammer was used. World Without Nazism reported a physical assault by a group on three employees of a gay bar, resulting in injuries.

European Association of Jehovah's Christian Witnesses / Jehovah’s Witnesses – France reported a series of physical assaults against two Jehovah’s Witnesses, including one sexual assault against a woman and physical assaults against a man that also involved racist insults. World Without Nazism reported one physical assault against several Chinese students in which a glass bottle was used as a weapon, causing serious injuries.

World Without Nazism reported one incident in which tear gas was sprayed into a Roma home and one arson attack against a Roma settlement.