Desecration of the Jewish cemetery of Lille

Alert DateApril 1, 2007 Country: France Address: Lille General Type: Racist violence Racism and discrimination phenomena: Anti-semitism
Groups affected / Interested in: Religious minorities
Victims Data
Victims Nationality/Ethnic Origin N/A
Victims Gender N/A
Victims Age N/A
Victims Number N/A
Fatalities - deaths N/A
Perpetrators Data
Perpetrators Nationality/Ethnic Origin N/A
Perpetrator Gender N/A
Perpetrator Age N/A
Perpetrators Number N/A
Extremist/Organised Group Violence No

 

51 graves in the Jewish corridor of the Lille-Sud cemetery, one of the largest cemeteries in France, were found desecrated the day before Passover. The motive of the perpetrators remains undetermined as well as whether they belong to any organisation, since no insulting graffiti was discovered on the desecrated graves, which were solely Jewish. Two brothers living close to the worship place were arrested and put into custody. One of them confessed, and the other was released.

This is the first time such a large-scale desecration has occurred in the region. The acts were condemned by Jacques Chirac, religious organisations, and the French Human Rights League.

Libération, Cinquante tombes profanées à Lille, 1 April 2007, http://www.liberation.fr/societe/010119763-cinquante-tombes-juives-profanees-a-lille