In a column published in Liberation the signatories call on the President to suspend the Legion of Honor from people accused of sexual violence.
The signatories of a column published in Liberation on December 18, among whom is the actress Muriel Robin, asked Emmanuel Macron to send « a strong signal for society »by withdrawing the Legion of Honor from personalities indicted in cases of sexual violence. « The texts are clear. As Grand Master, you have the power to temporarily suspend (and even permanently remove) these decorations »we can read there.
« Honor is a cardinal value of our Republic. The Legion of Honor, which you preside over as Grand Master, is its supreme incarnation. », underline the 135 signatories. They are deputies, former ministers, artists or members of feminist associations and some have been decorated with the Legion of Honor. They believe that « this honor is today sullied by the maintenance of decorations awarded to people accused of sexist and sexual violence.”
Among the personalities targeted by this forum: the actor Gérard Depardieu but also the senator Joël Guerriau, the former presenter Patrick Poivre d’Arvor and the former minister Jean-Vincent Placé.
« Tolerating such behavior sends a devastating message to society. »
Tribune published in Libération.
On the sidelines of the promotion of 1is January of the Legion of Honor, the signatories denounce « institutional violence which adds to the violence already suffered (…). Tolerating such behavior sends a devastating message to society and is a humiliation for the complainants ». The case of actor Gérard Depardieu is all the more disturbing because it « expressed disdain for his decoration during the affair ».
In January 2024, disciplinary proceedings against Gérard Depardieu, indicted for rape and targeted by several complaints of sexual violence, were initiated by the chancellery of the Legion of Honor. An approach launched after the broadcast by France 2 of the magazine Further investigation in December 2023, dedicated to the actor where we see him making misogynistic and obscene remarks, including towards a little girl. The actor announced a few days later, through his lawyers, that he was donating his Legion of Honor « available » by the then Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul Malak.
« The list of these personalities who could display their decoration at their trial could be even longerhammers the stand. A suspension of the orders, while justice does its work, would in no way contravene the presumption of innocence. The medals would then be withdrawn or reinstated – depending on a conviction – or not. The trial for sexual assault of Gérard Depardieu, who refutes the accusations, will be held in March 2025.
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