In 1990, the French legislature passed Gayssot Actthat criminalizes anti-Semitism, Xenophobia, Racism and prohibits the Holocaust denial.

Since its promulgation,many jurists claimed that its text, if misused or interpreted, can lead to restrictions on freedom of expression.Without denying their belief in the issue of freedom, they claimed that the act might be too broad.

However, the majority of Gayssot Act's supporters, mostly politicians, recalled France's cooperation with the Nazi regime under the rule of Marshal Philippe Pétain, that led to the arrest of French Jews, and their deportation to the Nazi camps.The recourse to this law, which continues to be used as a pretext for violations of freedom of expression, has been limited to denial or skepticism.