High authority for the struggle against discrimination and for equality

The High Authority for the Struggle Against Discrimination and for Equality (French "Haute autorité de lutte contre les discriminations et pour l'égalité" or HALDE) is a French "independent administrative authority" which "has the right to judge all discrimination, direct or indirect, that is prohibited by law or an international agreement to which France is a signatory."

HALDE was created by law n° 2004-1486 on December 30 2004, published in the "Journal officiel" on December 31, 2004.

Composition

HALDE has twelve members who are appointed by the French President for five-year terms. They can neither be expelled from their posts nor reappointed at the end of them.New members are added every thirty months, with five members being removed at this time (the president of HALDE stays, however). Thus, five of the first members were limited to 30 month-terms. These five will be selected randomly at HALDE's first meeting.

HALDE's members are chosen according to the following allotment:

*two members (one woman and one man) share the presidency -- they are selected by the French president;
*two members (one woman and one man) are selected by the president of the French Senate;
*two members (one woman and one man) are chosen by the president par president of the French National Assembly;
*two members (one woman and one man) are chosen by the Prime minister;
*one member (male or female) is chosen by the vice-president of the Council of State;
*one member (male or female) is chosen by the first president of the Cour de cassation ;
*one member (male or female) is chosen by president of the French Economic and Social Council.

Duties

HALDE is aided by a consultative committee named by itself, including people who "have an activity within the scope of the struggle against discrimination and for the promotion of equality."

Cases are submitted to HALDE in three different ways:

*Anyone who believes himself or herself to have been a victim of discrimination can appeal to HALDE, either independently, through a member of the National Assembly, through a senator or through a French EMP;
*HALDE can take pursue cases of discrimination itself, with the agreement of the alleged victim;
*Any group (that is at least 5 years old) whose charter aims to "fight discrimination or to help victims of discrimination" can accompany the case of an individual who believes to have been a victim of discrimination, if this individual wants this.

HALDE is entitled to lead various hearings as well as investigations; it can also send files to the "procureur de la République." HALDE also promotes equality generally, and can recommend modifications of existing laws or rules, and publishes a public annual report concerning its performance of its duties.

HALDE's members

*President: Louis Schweitzer (former CEO of Renault, appointed March 3 2005

See also

*Human rights in France