The Defender of Rights in France: Mission, Role, and How to File a Complaint

In France, the Defender of Rights is an independent administrative authority dedicated to safeguarding citizens' rights and freedoms while promoting equality for individuals and organizations alike. Anyone—individuals, businesses, associations, or others—can file a complaint if they face rights violations, discrimination, disputes with public administrations, or issues with public order representatives.

The Defender of Rights: Safeguarding Citizens' Rights and Equality

As France's independent administrative authority, the Defender of Rights protects rights and freedoms by assisting those whose entitlements are disregarded. It also champions equal access to rights for all.

Established and enshrined in the Constitution in 2011, this institution merged prior entities: the Mediator of the French Republic, Defender of Children, High Authority Against Discrimination and for Equality (HALDE), and National Commission for Security Ethics (CNDS).

Appointed by the President of the Republic after parliamentary consultation, the Defender serves a non-renewable six-year term and reports regularly to the President and Parliament.

Supported by a team of experienced lawyers, the institution addresses grievances effectively and provides targeted solutions.

Key Areas of Expertise for the Defender of Rights

The Defender of Rights excels in five core domains:

• Defending public service users' rights, such as resolving administrative disputes involving errors, inadequate information, or unresolved issues;
• Protecting and promoting children's rights, as recognized by law and the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC);
• Combating discrimination and advancing equality, supporting victims from individuals, companies, state services, local authorities, hospitals, and more;
• Upholding ethics for security professionals, including professional secrecy, probity, impartiality, respect for populations, and appropriate use of force;
• Guiding and protecting whistleblowers, as per the December 9, 2016 law, by directing alerts to competent authorities and safeguarding reporters' rights and freedoms.

When and How to Contact the Defender of Rights

Individuals, companies, associations, and other entities can contact the Defender of Rights at no cost if they believe their rights have been violated.

Common scenarios include perceived discrimination based on protected criteria like origin, gender, physical appearance, or age; misconduct by public order representatives (police, gendarmes, security firms); public service difficulties; or child rights violations.

Note: The Defender may also act on its own initiative if intervention is warranted to protect rights and freedoms.

To check eligibility, call 09 69 39 00 00 or book an appointment with one of 500 delegates at over 800 welcome points nationwide. Departmental contacts are listed online.

Submit online via the official website. For discrimination, use 3928 or antidiscriminations.fr.

Upon filing, an investigation gathers facts to assess the situation.

The Defender prioritizes amicable resolutions involving all parties.

If unsuccessful, it issues recommendations, urges sanctions or proceedings, or submits observations to courts (though it cannot overturn judgments). It also proposes legislative changes through formal recommendations.