Paris, France – The French Court of Cassation, the country’s highest court of appeal, has upheld the defamation conviction of Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally party. The case stems from accusations Le Pen made against a humanitarian organization working to aid migrants.
The legal battle originated from a television interview in early 2022, during Le Pen’s presidential campaign. During the interview, she accused humanitarian organizations of colluding with human traffickers, specifically targeting one organization and alleging its involvement in facilitating illegal immigration from the Comoros Islands to the French island of Mayotte.
Le Pen failed to provide evidence to support her claims, which were widely disseminated due to her prominent position as a presidential candidate at the time. The targeted organization subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging defamation.
The Court of Cassation rejected Le Pen’s appeal, solidifying the ruling from the Paris Court of Appeal. The penalty is a suspended fine of 500 euros. While the monetary value of the fine is relatively small, the ruling carries significant symbolic and legal weight.
The court’s decision underscores that political figures are not immune from legal repercussions for making unsubstantiated accusations that harm the reputation of individuals or organizations. The French judiciary determined that comparing the work of a humanitarian organization to that of human trafficking networks exceeded the boundaries of protected free speech.
The court emphasized the distinction between legitimate political criticism and defamation based on unfounded accusations. The ruling also noted that such rhetoric can fuel negative sentiment toward specific groups and undermine trust in civil and humanitarian work.
This ruling comes as Le Pen faces several legal challenges. A recent ruling in a case involving European parliamentary assistants has temporarily made her ineligible to run for office. She is awaiting an appeal trial that is expected to be decisive before the next presidential election. These legal developments present additional hurdles to her political ambitions. The case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding freedom of speech and the responsibilities of public figures in France.
