FRANCE-SOGI-TBs-CRC

Concluding Observations on Report 6-7 (2023) (Link)

Non-discrimination

16. The Committee recalls its previous recommendations and urges the State party to strengthen its efforts to foster a culture of equality, tolerance and mutual respect, to prevent and combat persistent discrimination and to ensure that all cases of discrimination against children in all sectors of society are effectively addressed. The Committee recommends that the State party take specific measures to combat discrimination against children in marginalized and disadvantaged situations, in particular children living in squats and other informal accommodation, Roma children, children with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children, asylum-seeking, refugee and migrant children and children belonging to racial, ethnic and religious minorities.

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Harmful practices

30. While noting the First National Action Plan to Eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (2019–2022), the Committee refers to joint general recommendation No. 31 of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women/general comment No. 18 of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (2019) on harmful practices, recalls target 5.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals and recommends that the State party:

(a) Continue its efforts to eliminate female genital mutilation by evaluating the implementation of the First National Action Plan and continuing to increase awareness among girls at risk, communities, medical professionals, social workers, police officers, gendarmes, judges and prosecutors;

(b) Provide adequate social, medical and psychological services, counselling and support to intersex children and their families and ensure that children’s consent is sought, to the greatest extent possible, in decision-making regarding their treatment and care and that no child is subjected to unnecessary surgery or treatment;

(c) Educate and train medical and psychological professionals on sexual and related biological and physical diversity and on the consequences of unnecessary surgical and other medical interventions on intersex children.

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Concluding Observations on Report 5 (2016) (Link)

Non-discrimination

23. The Committee welcomes the efforts made by the State party to combat discrimination. The Committee is concerned, however, about the persistence of discrimination on the grounds of sex, gender identity, disability, national origin, social and economic origin or other grounds. It further expresses its concern at the persistence of racial discrimination against and stigmatization of Roma children. The Committee is also concerned that the action plan for equality that replaced the “ABCD of Equality” programme was developed without the involvement of children, is not targeted specifically at children and lacks measurable objectives and a time frame.

24. The Committee reiterates its previous recommendation and urges the State party to strengthen its efforts to foster a culture of equality, tolerance and mutual respect, to prevent and combat persistent discrimination and to ensure that all cases of discrimination against children in all sectors of society are effectively addressed (see CRC/C/FRA/CO/4 and Corr.1, para. 31). The Committee also recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to challenge gender stereotypes, including within the framework of the action plan for equality, with measurable objectives and a time frame, aimed specifically at children in all levels of education, and to make relevant training for educators compulsory.

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Concluding Observations on Report 3-4 (2009) (Link)

Non-discrimination

28. The Committee welcomes the establishment under the Law No. 2004-1486 of the High Authority to Combat Discrimination and Promote Equality (Haute Autorité de Lutte contre les Discriminations et pour l’Égalité, HALDE), which has the power to receive individual complaints and act on its own initiative to remedy problems of discrimination based on national origin, disability, health, age, gender, family and marital status, trade union activity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, physical appearance, surname, and genetic characteristics. It also notes with appreciation the effort of the State party to establish equality between children, irrespective of the circumstances of their birth, through adoption of Ordinance No. 2005-759 abolishing the concepts of legitimate and natural birth and Law No. 2006-728 on succession and donation, creating equality regardless of the child’s birth status. It also notes the abolishment of discrimination with regard to financial benefits for non-French children and parents of “large families” as well as the Court of Cassation decision, according to which, foreign families legally residing in France with their children, are fully entitled to child benefits; however, it regrets its lack of implementation. The Committee further appreciates that in the Overseas Territory of Mayotte, the State party has forbidden discrimination on grounds of sex or legitimacy among children in matters of inheritance.

29. The Committee recommends the State party to further support the role of HALDE in combating discrimination and promoting equality. The Committee also urges the State party to implement the decision of the Court of Cassation on the right of non-French families to be granted child benefits.

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Concluding Observations on Report 2 (2004) (Link)

[no mention]

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Concluding Observations on Report 1 (1994) (Link)

[no mention]

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