The research, the first of its kind in France, where the collection of ethnic statistics is officially prohibited, found African and Asian immigrant groups were hit hardest by the virus. The collection of so-called "ethnic" statistics is prohibited in France since the French republic is officially color-blind, refusing to categorize or count people by race or ethnicity. It may, however, be authorized on a case-by-case basis, particularly for scientific purposes such as the study carried out by INSEE. Minority rights activists have long believed that the absence of ethnic statistics has made the French state blind to the problems of racism and discrimination. Mounting evidence from the US, Britain and Canada pointing to greater COVID-19 mortality risks for non-white groups increased pressure on French researchers to do the same.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 17, 2020 07:18 UTC