France's Rights Advocate Warns of Rising Discrimination and Public Resignation

The Défenseure des droits' 2024 annual report highlights increasing discrimination, declining formal complaints, and calls for action on digital accessibility and AI transparency.

The Défenseure des droits, Claire Hédon, released the 2024 annual report on March 25, 2025, emphasizing critical societal challenges in France.
The report reveals a troubling paradox: while discrimination, particularly related to origin and religion, is on the rise, fewer formal complaints are being filed.
Over 140,000 complaints were received in 2024, a 2% increase from the previous year, but discrimination-related complaints have notably declined.
The report criticizes the rapid digitalization of public services, warning it risks excluding vulnerable populations and undermining accessibility.
Hédon calls for greater transparency in the use of artificial intelligence in public services to ensure fairness and accountability.