Documents on France
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  • Written statement
    Nov 20, 2009

    A working group created by France’s National Assembly in June 2009 to study the issue of face-covering Muslim veils in the country is considering a law to prohibit the wearing of such veils in all public places. Endorsing the creation of the group, President Nicolas Sarkozy has stated that what he terms “the burqa” is not welcome on French territory. A Human Rights Watch paper submitted to the working group in November 2009 argues that a ban on full veils in public places would violate the fundamental rights to freedom from discrimination, freedom of religion and the right to autonomy and would be deeply counterproductive.

  • Press release
    Nov 20, 2009

    The French Immigration Minister’s proposals to address the needs of unaccompanied migrant children held at transit zones, especially airports, falls short of bringing France into compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

  • Press release
    Oct 29, 2009

    France's system of detaining and deporting unaccompanied migrant children who arrive in Paris by air puts them at serious risk.

  • Press release
    Oct 4, 2009

    President Nicolas Sarkozy of France should use his upcoming state visit to Kazakhstan to convey a clear message that it needs to undertake serious human rights reforms.

  • Commentary
    Sep 4, 2009

    The Léger Committee, tasked with drawing the outlines of a broad reform to criminal procedure and which issued its final report on September 1, has recommended narrow adjustments to the rights of those held in police custody that neither go far enough nor apply to everyone.

  • Commentary
    Jul 2, 2009

    President Sarkozy of France has reignited the debate about how Muslim women in Europe should dress by calling for a ban on clothing that, as he puts it, imprisons women and undermines their dignity.

  • Press release
    May 15, 2009

    The French government's decision to accept Algerian detainee Lakhdar Boumediene for resettlement in France marks a welcome step toward closing Guantanamo.

  • Press release
    Apr 3, 2009

    The European Union should help the Obama administration close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility by accepting some of the detainees who cannot return to their home countries because they would risk torture or other abuse. According to media reports, the Obama administration yesterday made its first formal request to EU countries to resettle some of the detainees.

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