Summary Proceedings

What is a Summary Proceeding? A summary proceeding is a judicial procedure that allows the judge to conduct a rapid, or even immediate, examination of the dispute. They can order a provisional measure. This single judge does not examine the merits of the case. The summary proceedings judge issues a decision in the form of […]
Testing

What is testing? Situation testing or discrimination testing, also called testing, is an investigative method aimed at detecting discrimination that dates back to 1939 in France. It consists of comparing the results obtained by two types of candidates who are identical in every way except for one criterion that we want to test (for example, […]
Full-coverage swimsuit | “Burkini”

Assia is going on vacation to the south of France with her children. Having booked a rental near the beach, she would like to go swimming there with her children but fears that wearing a full-coverage swimsuit might be prohibited. She also wonders if the same applies to the leisure center she will visit afterwards. […]
The Rights Defender

What is the Rights Defender? The Rights Defender is an independent state institution created in 2011 and enshrined in the Constitution: ‘The Rights Defender ensures respect for rights and freedoms’ (Art. 71-1 of the Constitution). The Rights Defender was born from the merger of four institutions: the Ombudsman of the Republic, the Children’s Defender, the […]
Sports and Religious Symbols

Sarah chose to enroll in the boxing class offered by her university, but when she showed up for the class, the sports instructor refused her entry because she was wearing a headscarf. He justified this by citing the principle of secularism. As for Ines, she was denied entry to her gym because of her headscarf. […]
IFSI (Nursing Training Institute) and Religious Symbols

During her enrollment in a nursing training institute (IFSI), Houyam is informed that her admission is conditional on removing her headscarf within the institute, during theoretical training and practical work, 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 […]
Refusal of care by a doctor

Sirine goes to a doctor after obtaining an appointment. Once at the office, the secretary asks her to take a seat, but when it’s her turn, the doctor refuses to examine her if she doesn’t remove her headscarf, stating that his office is secular. Sirine leaves the office wondering how she could have reacted. What […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]