Accused of sexual assault, including rape, by numerous women, Patrick Bruel – currently benefiting from the presumption of innocence – announced last week that he intended to carry out his tour.
However, many voices, including those of the mayors of Marseille, Lyon, Brest and Montpellier, were heard, asking the singer not to perform on stage and to put his career on hold for the duration of the investigation. In Canada, three of his concerts were canceled.
In French-speaking Switzerland, the upcoming arrival of Patrick Bruel also raises questions. Thus, the Socialist Party of Pully-Paudex-Belmont is asking for the deprogramming of the French star expected on June 25 at the Pully Live Festival. “We respect the presumption of innocence, but it does not impose silence,” said the PS. “Believing the victims is not condemning a man,” he adds.
The organizers of the Pully Live Festival, as well as those of the Bellarena Indoor in Fribourg, where the singer is also expected, have not officially commented. What decision will they make? We will undoubtedly find out in the coming days.
We can well imagine the dilemma between the desire to respect the presumption of innocence from which Patrick Bruel benefits and the ethical exemplarity which now prevails.
Furthermore, French-speaking feminist collectives have launched a petition collecting more than 5,500 signatures to cancel Patrick Bruel’s concerts.
