Insult
What does the law say? Insult is defined by the law of July 29 on freedom of the press of 1881 as “Any outrageous expression, term of contempt or invective that does not contain the imputation of any fact” (art. 29 para. 2). Thus, unlike defamation, insult does not impute a specific fact to a […]
University Enrollment
During her university enrollment, Nawel is informed that registration at the university is conditional on removing her headscarf, in application of the principle of secularism. What does the law say? Religious freedom is a principle enshrined in French constitutional law as well as international and European law. Higher education is not affected by LAW No. […]
Enrollment in Private Higher Education
Upon her enrollment in a private higher education institution, Nawel is informed that it is conditional on removing her headscarf, in application of the principle of secularism. Private higher education encompasses institutions with very diverse statuses: private high schools offering higher technical sections (STS) or preparatory classes for grandes écoles (CPGE); non-profit organizations, governed by […]
Online Hate
What does the law say? What is Hateful Content? Although freedom of expression is a precious fundamental freedom (Cons. const. 11 Oct. 1984, Press Companies, No. 84-181 DC), the legislature has come to punish abuses of the exercise of this freedom. These abuses are common on the Internet and are found in what is called […]
Police Custody
Sofiane, a high school student, was placed in police custody for not respecting the minute of silence organized by his school. His mother wonders what risks he faces, what will happen, and what his rights are. What is police custody? Police custody is a coercive measure decided by a judicial police officer, either on their […]
The Journey of a Complaint
The criminal procedure in France takes place in several stages: Filing of the complaint Judicial investigation Hearing (trial) The police investigation The filing of a simple complaint initiates an investigation entrusted to the judicial police, which must verify the existence of an offense. If the complaint has been filed at the police station or gendarmerie, […]
Incitement to Hatred, Violence, and Discrimination
What does the law say? It is necessary to distinguish between incitement to hatred, discrimination, and violence from insult and defamation. Incitement to hatred is the act of encouraging others, through speeches, writings, or any other means, to express hatred, violence, or discrimination against certain people because of, for example, their religion. There is a […]
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? […]
Passport Renewal
I submitted a passport renewal application. However, for two months, there has been no news. On the website, it is indicated that it is still being processed at the town hall. An agent tells me that this waiting time is not normal; it is generally between 15 and 30 days, depending on the geographical location […]
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 […]