A legal battle has erupted between French Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) François-Xavier Bellamy and Rima Hassan after a vote to prevent Hassan from becoming the third vice-chair of the European Parliament’s human rights subcommittee. Bellamy, from the centre-right The Republicans party, accused Hassan, a Franco-Palestinian politician from the left-wing France Unbowed party, of disqualifying herself from speaking about human rights due to comments she made about Hamas. Hassan denies the allegations, claiming her words were taken out of context. The conflict escalated with Bellamy suing Hassan for what he perceives as a direct physical threat against him. The President of the European Parliament is investigating the matter. In response, Hassan’s lawyers announced their intention to file legal complaints against Bellamy for public defamation and slander. Messages of support have come from France’s left-wing, which recently won a surprise victory in legislative elections. The Left group in the European Parliament made Hassan one of its coordinators in the human rights subcommittee as a show of defiance. The dispute between Bellamy and Hassan highlights the deep political divisions in France, with Bellamy’s party suffering losses in the recent elections. The tension comes amidst a period of political paralysis in France following the election, with President Macron delaying the formation of a new government until after the Paris Olympic Games.
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Legal dispute between two French MEPs arises following disagreement on human rights appointment.
