A conference organised by EUforTrisomy21 ( 8th of July) gathering parents of children with Down syndrome from all over Europe, launched the first debate dedicated to Down syndrome in the framework of the Citizens’ Consultation “The Future of Europe”: “Improving the visibility of people with Down’s syndrome: an emergency for Europe. Why? How?”
This event was an opportunity for the NGO Coordown (Italy) and the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation (France) to present a relevant case on the freedom of expression of people with Down syndrome. Their speakers recalled the paradox of the international success of the Dear future Mom video in 2014 and its censorship in France by the CSA (Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel). The European Court of Human Rights, seized by the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, is currently examining the challenge to this censorship; it will issue its decision in a few months.
Coordown and the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, along with the other partners of the video (Down syndrome Madrid – Spain, Down syndrome development trust – England, Down syndrome Center Pula – Croatia, Saving Down – New Zealand), have signed a joint statement: they are counting on the intervention of the European Court of Human Rights so that the right to freedom of expression is respected.
They explain in this tribune published simultaneously in Spain (Europapress), Italy (redattoresociale) and France (Le Figaro):
– “Dear Future Mom’ is one of the campaigns that changed the history of social communication in the world.”
– The decision to censor the video in France was a denial of the freedom of expression of people with Down syndrome. A serious act of censorship that undermines the human rights and image of people with Down syndrome, who not only have the right to be happy, but also to express their views and be heard.
– They want “a Europe where the rejection of difference is combated”.
English version of the joint statement:
Down Syndrome: Will the European Court of Human Rights understand the real meaning of “Dear Future Mom”?
The Jérôme Lejeune Foundation is asking the European Court to rule on whether censorship of the video in France violates freedom of expression.
It was 2014 when the “Dear Future Mom” campaign produced by Coordown for World Down Syndrome Day went viral and gained millions of views. The campaign, conceived by Luca Lorenzini and Luca Pannese and produced by Saatchi and Saatchi, was realised in collaboration with other international partner associations and was broadcast on TV and social media worldwide. The message was expressed in several languages by 15 persons with Down syndrome from several European countries: “Persons with Down syndrome can live a happy life, it depends on all of us“.
But the French broadcasting authority (CSA) decided to censor the video, asking the channels that had broadcast it to stop airing the clip. This decision was confirmed two years later by the French Supreme Court (Conseil d’Etat).
The position expressed by the French broadcasting authority (CSA) reported, among other reasons, that the spot “could not be considered as a message of general interest, that its purpose could appear ambiguous, and that it did not attract spontaneous and consensual support“. Furthermore, it considered that the clip could “disturb the conscience of women who, in compliance with the law, have made different personal life choices.”
The Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, Coordown’s partner in the production of the video, filed an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). After a long process, it is preparing to submit its final arguments to the Court in a few days. The ECHR will now have to rule on whether the French censorship violates freedom of expression (article 10).
“Dear Future Mom” is one of the campaigns that changed the history of social communication in the world. It was born out of a desire to respond to a mother, expecting a baby girl with Down syndrome, who wrote a letter to Coordown asking what her baby girl’s future might look like. The association had decided to give a direct voice to young people and adults with Down syndrome who, while admitting the difficulties of their own condition, were determined to say that their lives were beautiful and worth living.
The decision to censor the video in France was, according to the participating associations, a denial of the freedom of expression of persons with Down syndrome. This is a serious act of censorship that undermines the human rights and image of persons with Down syndrome, who not only have the right to be happy, but also to express their views and to be heard.
Coordown, Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, Down Madrid, Down Syndrome Development Trust, Down Syndrome Center Pula, Saving Downs, signatories of the clip, are counting on the intervention of the ECHR so that the right to freedom of expression is respected.
Jean-Marie Le Méné, President of the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, said: “We want a Europe where the rejection of difference is fought. We no longer want a Europe marked by double standards, particularly in France, where the public authorities are good at talking about welcoming people, but censor initiatives that make this welcome a reality, and thus infringe human rights.
Robin Sevette, one of the French actors in Dear Future Mom, asked once again at the UN on 21 March: “Accept me, I am no different from you!”
Antonella Falugiani, President of Coordown, adds: “Dear Future Mom is a film that has helped change the discourse on Down syndrome, breaking down a pitying view of persons with Down syndrome and giving a direct voice to young people and adults with Down syndrome. It is a campaign that, even 7 years later, continues to spread a just culture of diversity. Indeed, we continue to receive thanks and requests for licensing from all over the world and are proud to have contributed to this cultural process. We are confident that the European Court will understand the true meaning of the campaign.“