http://beta.yellowbrix.com/pages/newsreal/Story.nsp?story_id=21178531&ID=newsreal&scategory=AP+Top+Headlines Irish Times - 2001-05-31 New anti-sect law adopted in France :

Paris - France's National Assembly adopted a new law against sects yesterday, ignoring criticism from churches and human rights groups that it represents an assault on basic liberties.

Officially entitled "the law to reinforce the prevention and repression of groups of a sect-like character," it makes it an offence to abuse a vulnerable person via the "exertion of heavy or repeated pressure or techniques liable to alter his judgment".

It will also allow courts to close down associations after members have been convicted of crimes such as personal violence, illegal use of medicines or misleading publicity.

The Church of Scientology, one of 172 groups officially designated as sects in France, had opposed the bill.

-- From: cep@at.com (cep)
Subject: Re: New anti-sect law adopted in France !!
Date: Thu, 31 May 2001 21:43:47 GMT
Message-ID: <3b25bb01.22521626@newszilla.xs4all.nl>

> New anti-sect law adopted in France :
A new law against sects adopted by the French National Assembly : ASIA WorldSources, Inc PARIS, May 31 (Xinhua)--The French Parliament has adopted a new law to reinforce the prevention and repression of groups of a sect-like character.

The law, approved by the National Assembly on Wednesday with a quasi-unanimity, allows courts to close sect-like associations whose members have been convicted of violence, illegal use of drugs, misleading advertisements or fraud.

It also punishes "abuses of a vulnerable person through exertion of serious and repeated pressure, or use of techniques to alter his judgment, leading him to commit acts seriously prejudicial against himself.'' Those who commit such crimes might face an imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of 2.5 million francs (700,000 U.S. dollars).

''The sects, under the cover of the so-called spirituality and esotericism, get prosperous secretly. In fact they have no other goals but power and money,'' said Congressman Jean-Pierre Brard, also an expert on sects, quoted by the French daily Le Figaro on Thursday.

France "should respond to the problems caused by sect-like organizations at an international level and through European judicial proceedings,'' he added.

Polls showed a majority of French people believe that sects endanger democracy and they are in favor of banning certain sects, such as the Church of Scientology or the OST.

A parliamentary commission has drawn up a list of 172 designated sects and the government created in 1998 an inter-ministerial agency to combat sects.

>Why is the LMT not posting the text to this article?
>Orders from Brooks?
Yep, while ordering even more Entheta from Europe :

The New ANTI-CULT LAW: punishes "abuses of a vulnerable person through exertion of serious and repeated pressure, or use of techniques to alter his judgment, leading him to commit acts seriously prejudicial against himself.'' (France) Spanish Television on $cientology:

"This mental manipulation is done gradually and with subtlety. Our reporter spent long hours hypnotizing himself to complete the course. At his side, in the academy, other Scientologists participate in various courses, making small modeling clay figures to surpass their relationship conflicts, talking to a Teddy bear to improve communication and entering a sauna as a treatment for drug addiction."

"Potential clients tend to be conflictive or unstable individuals "

cep

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