Defender of Rights (France)
The Defender of Rights (French: Défenseur des droits) is an independent administrative authority in France. It was created by the constitutional law of March 29, 2011, and came into effect on July 1, 2011, merging four pre-existing institutions: the Mediator of the Republic (Médiateur de la République), the Children's Defender (Défenseur des enfants), the High Authority for the Fight Against Discrimination and for Equality (HALDE), and the National Commission for Ethics in Security (CNDS).
The Defender of Rights is appointed by the President of the Republic for a non-renewable six-year term, after approval by the Parliament. This appointment aims to ensure impartiality and independence from political influence.
The mission of the Defender of Rights is to:
- Defend the rights and freedoms of individuals in their relations with public administrations and services.
- Protect the rights of children.
- Fight against discrimination and promote equality.
- Ensure respect for ethics by individuals performing security activities.
Individuals can contact the Defender of Rights directly, free of charge, when they believe their rights have been violated. The Defender of Rights can then investigate the situation, propose solutions to the administration involved, and make recommendations for improving administrative practices or laws.
The Defender of Rights also has the power to issue opinions, conduct studies, and raise public awareness on issues related to rights and freedoms. The institution submits an annual report to the President of the Republic and the Parliament, detailing its activities and recommendations.
The independence of the Defender of Rights is guaranteed by the constitution. The officeholder cannot receive instructions from any authority and is subject to a special protection regime to ensure they can perform their duties without fear of reprisal. The Defender of Rights is supported by a team of investigators, legal experts, and administrative staff.