United Nations – The Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review of France - Joint communiqué issued by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal Opportunities (28 April 2023)

On May 1, 2023, Isabelle Lonvis-Rome, Minister Delegate for Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal Opportunities, attached to the Prime Minister, will represent France at the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva. The UPR is a general review of every State’s compliance with its international human rights obligations. Every five years, all of the States participate in this exercise in transparency and accountability, which was established by the UN General Assembly.

The Minister will present the public policy advances that have been made since the last review in 2018. She will underscore the results achieved by France’s women’s rights and gender equality policies, which constitute one of the primary causes championed by President Macron during his two terms. She will look back at the numerous measures taken since 2017 to create a more inclusive, more tolerant society, in particular, our resolute efforts to combat racism, antisemitism, and all forms of discrimination, as well as our disability policy.

During this review process, the Minister Delegate will recall that France has consistently prioritized the defense and the universal promotion of human rights through its external action, which specifically includes an ambitious policy of feminist diplomacy. On March 8, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs established the priorities for this policy: to support the women and men who defend rights and freedoms in their countries (the Marianne Initiative); and to fight for freedom of the press, the abolition of the death penalty, and the decriminalization of homosexuality. The Minister will reaffirm France’s commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was signed 75 years ago at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris, as well as its commitment to the essential role played by multilateralism and the UN in ensuring respect for international law, human dignity, and peace.