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 […]
Fasting and Work
Ayoub fasts during the month of Ramadan. Instead of going to lunch with his colleagues as he does the rest of the year, he uses his lunch break to rest in his office. His employer criticizes him for isolating himself and no longer participating in company lunches. Can Ayoub be criticized for fasting? What does […]
Parental Authority
What is Parental Authority? Although minors have legal personality, they do not have the capacity to exercise their rights. Thus, they must not only be protected but also represented. The LAW No. 2002-305 of March 4, 2002, regarding parental authority establishes the framework for the principle of exercising parental authority by parents. The concept 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 […]
Victim: How to Be Compensated?
Following an assault, Leila suffered physical as well as material and moral damages. She would like to know how to obtain compensation for her various losses, what the different steps are, and who to turn to. Who Should Compensate You? If you have suffered damage caused by an act or negligence, it is the perpetrator […]
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 […]