The Secularism Officer
The circular of March 15, 2017 regarding respect for the principle of secularism in public service provides for the identification of a “secularism officer” in each administration, with the understanding that this can be the ethics officer responsible for providing any public agent who requests it with useful advice on respecting the ethical principles of […]
Accompanying Mothers, School Trips, and Religious Symbols
Iris is the mother of a three-year-old girl enrolled in a nursery school. When she offered to participate in supervising a school trip, her request was refused by the teacher due to her wearing a headscarf. She is not the only one to face such a refusal; this has been a recurring problem for many […]
Referral to the General Inspectorate of the National Police – IGPN
What is the IGPN? The General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN), nicknamed the “police of the police,” is a national organization under the Ministry of the Interior whose mission is to ensure the proper functioning of the National Police, the Paris Police Prefecture, and the Municipal Police. What are the missions of the IGPN? […]
Publication of My Photograph Without My Consent
Sofia discovers with shock that her image appears on the front page of a press review. The said photograph is accompanied by the following title: The New Face of Radicalization. What does the law say? The right to one’s image stems from the right to respect for one’s private life (Art. 8 of the European […]
Public Schools and Wearing Religious Symbols
Nadia, a second-year student in a public high school, wears a headscarf. She complies with the provisions of the law of March 15, 2004. However, for the past few days, the school principal has been asking her to remove her headscarf as soon as she reaches the sidewalk opposite her school. She is therefore questioning […]
When Am I a Victim?
The concept of victim is not clearly defined in French legal texts. In the definition given by the United Nations General Assembly (resolution 40/34 of December 11, 1985), victims are: “Persons who, individually or collectively, have suffered harm, including physical or mental injury, emotional suffering, material loss or substantial impairment of their fundamental rights, through […]
Wearing a Headscarf at Work
Mrs. S. wishes to work with her headscarf in a private company, but the employer informs her that she will not be allowed to wear it during working hours. Is this legal? What does the law say? The employee, like any citizen, enjoys religious freedom which is guaranteed by numerous legal instruments, notably the European […]
Identity Photo on Official and Unofficial Documents
Salima wishes to subscribe to an offer proposed by her region’s transport company and submits a file where identity photographs are requested. She wants to know if she has the right to provide a photograph with her headscarf. She also wonders about the same issue for her enrollment in a higher education institution, particularly for […]
Prayer at Work
Rachid is a computer engineer in a large company. He has a habit of performing his daily prayer in his office during his lunch break. Today, he is surprised by a colleague who complains to his supervisor. Rachid wonders what risks he faces and if he can be fired for this. What does the law […]
Graduation Ceremony
Samia has obtained her baccalaureate and is eager to attend the graduation ceremony organized by her school. She wonders, however, if she can keep her headscarf for the occasion. What does the law say? The Law No. 2004-228 of March 15, 2004, applying the principle of secularism, framing the wearing of signs or attire openly […]
