Defenseur des droits
DDD
Summary
The Defenseur des droits (Defender of Rights) is constitutionally established under Art. 71-1 of the Constitution and governed by loi organique 2011-333 du 29 mars 2011. It replaced and consolidated four predecessor bodies (the Mediateur de la Republique, the Defenseur des enfants, the HALDE, and the CNDS). The Defenseur is appointed by the President of the Republic for a single non-renewable 6-year term and may not be removed before the end of that term. The office receives individual complaints from any person whose rights have been infringed by a public authority or a body entrusted with a public service mission, and conducts own-motion investigations. Under the loi organique, the Defenseur may summon and hear any person, compel the production of documents, and access all premises and records necessary for its investigations. Annual activity reports are submitted to the President of the Republic, Parliament, and made public. The budget is a legislative line item within the Parliament's appropriations.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Executive appointment |
|---|---|
| Term length | 6 years |
| Removal standard | Cannot be removed before term expires |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | Yes |
| Compel testimony | Yes |
| Records access | Full access |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Loi organique 2011-333 du 29 mars 2011 relative au Defenseur des droits
- Citation
- Loi organique 2011-333 du 29 mars 2011; Art. 71-1 Constitution du 4 octobre 1958
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
Protection of rights and freedoms of all persons dealing with public authorities or private bodies delivering a public service; receives individual complaints and own-motion investigations; supervises equal treatment, child protection, ethics of security forces, and protection of whistleblowers