Switzerland: Court Sentences Far-Right Essayist to Prison For Insulting Journalist Cathy Macherel
The Coalition For Women In Journalism welcomes the verdict, hopes it will deter others from spouting hate against journalists
Location: Switzerland, Lausanne
Date: October 4, 2023
The Coalition For Women In Journalism applauds the court’s decision to sentence far-right essayist Alain "Soral" Bonnet to 60 days in prison for his derogatory comments about journalist Cathy Macherel. By holding Soral accountable for his actions, the Swiss court has sent a clear message that homophobic hatred and discrimination will not be tolerated in society.
On October 4, writer and commentator Alain Soral was sentenced to 60 days in prison for his homophobic comments about journalist Catherine Macherel. The court in Lausanne, Switzerland, found Soral guilty of defamation, discrimination, and incitement to hatred. He has also been ordered to pay all legal fees and fines. This is not the first time Soral has faced legal consequences for his actions. In 2019, he was sentenced to jail in France for denying the Holocaust, which is a crime in the country.
LGBTQI groups have praised the court's decision, viewing it as a significant moment for justice and LGBTQI rights in Switzerland. Soral's conviction sends a strong message that homophobic hatred will not be tolerated in society.
The offending comments were made on September 3, 2021, when Soral posted a video on Facebook targeting Cathy Macherel, calling her a “fat lesbian.” The incident occurred after Cathy published an article for la Tribune de Genève, about Soral and his far-right publication "Egalité & Réconciliation" (E&R).
Soral's lawyer has expressed disagreement with the conviction, labeling it a "crime of opinion." They have stated that Soral intends to appeal the decision to the Swiss federal court and, if necessary, to the European Court of Human Rights.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism hopes that this verdict serves as a deterrent to those who seek to spout hate and engage in discriminatory behavior against journalists. It is crucial that journalists are able to carry out their work without fear of intimidation or harm.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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