French minister accused of racism over 'negroes' comment

France's minister for women's rights on March 30 compared women who choose to wear conservative Islamic dress to the "American negroes" who once supported slavery, sparking anger and accusations of racism.

The remarks by Minister Laurence Rossignol, during an interview with French TV channel BFM, came as she railed against fashion retailers H&M, Marks and Spencer and Dolce & Gabbana for launching products designed specifically for Muslim women, such as hijabs and the "burkini" - a swimsuit with a built-in hood designed to cover everything except the hands, feet and face.

Such companies were "irresponsible" and guilty of "promoting the confinement of women's bodies", said Rossignol.

When the interviewer pointed out that many Muslim women freely choose to adhere to conservative Islamic dress codes, Rossignol responded: "Of course there are women who choose it. There were American negroes who were in favour of slavery."

Read more on France 24.In Photos: Frozen Lake Ç?ld?r enchants visitors with shades of white and blueIn Photos: Car bomb attack hits Turkish capital, at least 37 killedIn photos: Easter celebrations around TurkeyHalfeti - A town of mesmerizing beautyExhibition shows Istanbul through eyes of children Secret weapons of Turkish army: locally produced rocket launchers, missile systemsThe bugs of Ankara: The weirdest scenes that anyone can run into in Turkish capitalA bird's eye view tour of Turkey's eastern provinces of Van and HakkariTurkish man with four wives has his 32nd childTurkish police raid Koza ?pek's media HQ in Istanbul amid protestsTurkey celebrates Republic Day against backdrop of political turbulenceLocal authorities in Ad?yaman stir outcry for sitting under tent as schoolkids get wet US...