GRETA and Religious Symbols
Sarah wishes to undertake professional training provided by GRETA. Her application was accepted, but when she arrives at reception, she is approached by the director who informs her that she cannot join the training while wearing a headscarf. The director cites the internal regulations which state: ‘In application of the principle of secularism, the wearing […]
Defense and Citizenship Day
Sihem has just completed her citizen registration and will receive a written summons in a few months indicating the date and location of her Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC). She wonders if it is mandatory and if she can keep her headscarf on during this day. What does the law say? What is the Defense […]
Time Limits and Statute of Limitations in Criminal Matters
Definition Statute of limitations refers to the period beyond which a legal action, civil or criminal, is no longer admissible. It can apply to real or personal rights, movable or immovable property. The statute of limitations is a principle with constitutional value whose rules fall within the legislative competence (art. 34 Constitution; Constitutional Council No. […]
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 […]
