Indignité nationale
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Indignité nationale (French “national unworthiness”) was a legally defined offence, created at the Liberation in the context of the “Épuration légale”.
The offence of Indignité nationale was meant to fill a legal void: while the laws in application in 1939 had provisions against treason, murder and such crimes, they did not take into account reprehensible behaviours which occurred during the Occupation and in the Vichy regime, such as participation in the Waffen SS or in the Milice.
The offence of indignité nationale covered such behaviours as
- taking part in collaboration organisations
- taking part in propaganda organisations
- delation (denunciation)
- any form of zeal in favour of the Germans
- black market
The mere fact of being part in such organisations was automatically an offence, whether other charges could be brought or not. However, participation in Résistance organisations automatically lifted the blame.
The offence of indignité nationale was subject to sentences of dégradation nationale, and confiscation of property.