Éric Zemmour convicted of homophobic insult: a new chapter in the controversy
In a verdict handed down on Thursday, Éric Zemmour was fined 4,000 euros for homophobic insults. The politician and polemicist made controversial remarks in October 2019, insinuating that homosexual people had “enslaved” the State for their benefit during a program on CNews.
This new conviction adds to an already long list for Éric Zemmour, who has been definitively condemned twice in the past for provoking hatred. His lawyer, Me Olivier Pardo, declared that the decision would be immediately challenged on appeal.
Zemmour’s comments, made during a program entitled “Medically assisted procreation: progress?”, aroused the indignation of the Stop homophobia association, which decided to file a complaint. The polemicist had denounced “the whims of a small minority” which “enslaves the State for its own benefit” and criticized the extension of the PMA to female couples and single women.
The court ruled that these comments were contemptuous of the people targeted and reduced them to a “selfish whim”. They also suggested that the sexual orientation of homosexual people implied behavior contrary to the general interest, which disqualified them in the public eye.
In addition to the fine, the publication director, Serge Nedjar, was also fined 4,000 euros, 2,000 of which were suspended. The two men will also have to pay 3,000 euros in damages to the Stop Homophobia, Adheos and Mousse associations, as well as 2,000 euros in legal fees.
This conviction is part of a series of upcoming trials for Éric Zemmour. In September, the Court of Cassation ordered a new trial for contesting crimes against humanity, after the polemicist claimed that Marshal Pétain had “saved” French Jews during the Second World War.
This new conviction once again raises the question of freedom of expression and public debate on sensitive subjects. Éric Zemmour’s comments sparked heated debates and were criticized by many defenders of LGBTQ+ rights. As society evolves on these issues, it is essential to find a balance between freedom of expression and respect for people and their fundamental rights.