Nordic Rights Condemns State Negligence And Violence In Quartiers Nord Of Marseille

At Nordic Right, we are committed to advocating for and upholding human rights across the Nordic Region and beyond. Today, we stand in solidarity with the residents of the Quartiers Nord in Marseille, France, who have endured years of neglect and violence, and we condemn the recent statements made by President Emmanuel Macron regarding the state’s role in these communities.

President Macron’s vow to “be back” in the Quartiers Nord implies a stark reality – that the state’s presence has been conspicuously absent from these neighborhoods for far too long. The Quartiers Nord have been a focal point of political discourse for decades, yet the issues plaguing these communities persist.

Recent incidents of gang violence in France, including fatal drive-by shootings, have further highlighted the urgent need for intervention and support in these neighborhoods. It is deeply troubling that the Quartiers Nord residents have been left to bear the consequences of this violence without adequate protection or assistance from the state.

Nordic Rights supports the class-action lawsuit initiated by Mathieu Croizet, a lawyer, and Amine Kessaci, the head of the non-profit organization Conscience, which aims to hold the state accountable for the violence plaguing the Quartiers Nord. This lawsuit contends that the state’s inaction violates the fundamental human right to security, as recognized by the French internal security code. Without security, individuals cannot fully exercise their basic rights, including the right to privacy, freedom of movement, and the right to live peacefully.

The case also raises concerns under Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights, which asserts the right to life and implies the right not to die due to preventable threats. The failure of the state to address the persistent violence in the Quartiers Nord raises questions about its commitment to upholding this fundamental right.

Additionally, Nordic Rights acknowledges the issue of “violence pollution” impacting the health and well-being of Quartiers Nord residents. Living in an environment plagued by violence can lead to a range of physical and psychological health problems, which ultimately infringe upon the right to live a healthy life in a healthy environment, as outlined in France’s Constitutional Environmental Charter.

Furthermore, we highlight the potential infringement on the principle of equality, a fundamental pillar of France’s national motto, “liberté, égalité, fraternité” (liberty, equality, fraternity). The persistent neglect of the Quartiers Nord implies a lack of equal treatment for those residing in these neighborhoods, despite laws that prohibit collecting data based on race, religion, or ethnicity.

Nordic Rights calls for immediate action to address the pressing issues faced by the Quartiers Nord residents. We urge the French government to prioritize the safety, well-being, and dignity of all individuals living in these communities. It is essential that concrete steps be taken to ensure that these neighborhoods are no longer left behind or marginalized.

The suffering and injustice faced by the residents of the Quartiers Nord must not be ignored any longer. We stand united with those who seek justice, equality, and a better future for these communities.