The Élysée Palace has informed ABC News that France intends to revoke the Legion of Honor from Bashar al-Assad, the President of Syria. The Legion of Honor is France's highest decoration, which was awarded to Assad by former President Jacques Chirac in 2001. This announcement comes just days after France, alongside the United States and the United Kingdom, targeted several Syrian military sites in response to a deadly chemical attack attributed to the Syrian government. The decision to revoke the Legion of Honor from an individual is solely at the discretion of the French President, indicating that Emmanuel Macron has made this decision. Chemical weapons inspectors are still awaiting permission to visit the area suspected of the attack in Syria. Since Macron's election as President in May 2017, this is not the first time he has decided to revoke the Legion of Honor. In October 2017, he announced his intention to revoke the honor from Harvey Weinstein following allegations of sexual harassment and assault made by women against the film producer in the U.S. Weinstein has denied these allegations. Former American cycling champion Lance Armstrong also lost his Legion of Honor in 2014 after admitting to doping during the Tour de France from 1999 to 2005. According to the Legion of Honor website, this 'decoration was established on May 19, 1802, by Napoleon Bonaparte to honor the most deserving citizens in all fields and activities.' 'This decoration can be revoked and annulled in the event of a criminal conviction or any act that discredits or harms the interests of France.'
France to Revoke Legion of Honor from Bashar al-Assad
France plans to revoke the Legion of Honor from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad following a chemical attack attributed to his government. This decision, made by President Emmanuel Macron, underscores France's stance against Assad's regime. The move is significant as it reflects France's ongoing response to human rights violations in Syria.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
France has announced it will revoke the Legion of Honor awarded to Bashar al-Assad due to his government's involvement in a recent chemical attack. This decision reflects France's condemnation of human rights violations in Syria.
- The Legion of Honor is France's highest decoration, established by Napoleon Bonaparte.
- This revocation follows a coordinated military response by France, the U.S., and the U.K. to a chemical attack in Syria.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Syrian civil war has been ongoing since 2011, with Assad's government accused of numerous human rights violations, including the use of chemical weapons. The Legion of Honor can be revoked for actions that discredit France.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%