TNAG-0652-FCO40-801-Planning-Staff-papers-on-human-rights-and-foreign-policy-cou-1977 — Page 76

CONFIDENTIAL

FRANCE

Report by HM Embassy Paris

General Observations (by Western European Department)

Benevolent despotism is an unwritten part of the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, and often gives rise to less than benevo- lent practices. A further contributing factor is the tradition of political violence, or more accurately, the belief that French politics are capable of erupting violently, which is held to jus- tify official resort to summary practices.

Right No.

Rating suggested by Post

(i)

There is sometimes delay in bringing arrested persons promtly to trial.

1

(ii)

French police do not always operate with kid gloves.

1

(iii)

Slavery does not exist.

(iv)

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In TV, and to a lesser extent, radio and press, the government exercises - through financial involvement and official brief- ing - a degree of influence comparable to that in the UK.

(v)

The French judiciary is not as exempt from quasi-political pressures as it might be.

1

(vi)

The right to form, join or par- ticipate in trade union activity is written into the Constitution, and additional rights are provided for in the Labour Code. These rights are fully honoured.

(vii) There are no restrictions on the

freedom to emigrate.

CONFIDENTIAL

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