NGO chief harassed after testifying against France

LONDON – After a U.K.-based campaign group CAGE testified about the persecution of Muslims in France, its executive director Muhammad Rabbani was reportedly harassed.

 The French government barred Rabbani from entering France and detained him for nearly 24 hours.

 CAGE has been monitoring government policies in France that directly impact Muslims and their freedom to practice their faith.

 Last year, Rabbani presented evidence against French treatment of Muslims at a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

 The group has presented extensive complaints and evidence to the EU and the Human Rights Council UN about the persecution of Muslims in France.

 Rabbani was arrested at a police station shortly after arriving in Paris and taken to a detention center for migrants.

 He was held in custody for nearly 24 hours, and for most of that time he was denied access to his electronic devices.

 During his detention, Rabbani was questioned by police at the airport and then at the detention center for migrants.

 He was also questioned by an official from the French Ministry of the Interior.

 Upon his return to London’s Gatwick Airport, he was again detained for an hour.

 CAGE has condemned the ban as “completely absurd” and an example of “authoritarian overreach” by the French government.

 The group claimed that the French government clearly felt threatened by an NGO holding it accountable.

 According to human rights groups, the ban on CAGE officials is an expression of Islamophobia in France and demonstrates a broader pattern.