Riaumont’s Lawyer Denies Inquiry Accusations
- LIEVIN, France – A parliamentary inquiry into alleged abuse at the Riaumont children's village in Liévin is facing criticism regarding its impartiality.
- Deputies Paul Vannier and Violette Spillebout visited the Riaumont site on April 4 as part of their investigation.
- Nitkowski, though, contends that the deputies' public statements following the visit demonstrate a lack of neutrality.
Riaumont School Investigation Sparks Controversy Over Objectivity
LIEVIN, France – A parliamentary inquiry into alleged abuse at the Riaumont children’s village in Liévin is facing criticism regarding its impartiality. Octave Nitkowski, the lawyer representing the priests of Riaumont, has accused two elected officials involved in the investigation of bias and violating the principle of separation of powers.
Deputies Paul Vannier and Violette Spillebout visited the Riaumont site on April 4 as part of their investigation. Prior to the visit, they met with state services and representatives of an association of Riaumont victims. Following these discussions, the deputies stated that there were clear indications of violence and potential sexual abuse at the institution, raising questions about the authorities’ response at the time.
Nitkowski, though, contends that the deputies’ public statements following the visit demonstrate a lack of neutrality. He specifically cited their use of terms like “prison” and “place where children were tortured” as premature and prejudicial, given that no judicial decisions have been rendered.
These remarks, made without any judicial decision having yet been rendered, contravene the basic principle of non-interference of parliamentary work in current legal proceedings.
Nitkowski further argues that the co-rapporteurs failed to adequately consider testimonies from former residents who hold a positive view of the institution. He has requested that the notre-dame de Riaumont association be heard by the commission of inquiry.
Spillebout declined to comment immediately,stating she wished to review Nitkowski’s communication before responding.
Concerns Over Witness Testimony
Nitkowski has also raised concerns about the participation of journalist IXChel Delaporte in a hearing before the National Assembly on March 20. Delaporte,author of “Riaumont’s Martyrs’ Children,” has extensively covered allegations of abuse at the Sainte-Croix of Riaumont institution. she served as a spokesperson for victims during the hearing.
Riaumont’s lawyer alleges that Delaporte presented “false testimony” and made claims without sufficient evidence. He claims that Delaporte inaccurately conflated events spanning from 1960 to 2019, implying that the institution’s practices remained unchanged over five decades, despite accusations of sexual assault, mistreatment, and psychological violence primarily between the 1980s and 2010s.
Nitkowski has requested that the president of the committee initiate legal action against Delaporte for allegedly making false statements under oath.
He warned that if the parliamentary committee fails to take action against Delaporte, refuses to hear the association of riaumont, and the president does not dissolve the commission, he will appeal to the appropriate authorities, citing a “partisan orientation incompatible with the status of a parliamentary commission of inquiry.” The Notre-Dame de Riaumont association previously filed a defamation complaint related to the distribution of Delaporte’s documentary.