The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), signed in 1989, has been opened to ratification since November 1989.

This Convention has been ratified by the French Government, but:
1. Formal restrictions have been introduced, on several Articles:
a. On Article 6, in order to avoid any application in France which could reduce the right of women to abortion

On The Wearing of Religious Clothes in Private Life

On the occasion of its National Congress, held in Savoie on August 24 – 26, 2009, the National Federation of Libre Pensee reiterated its principled position regarding institutional secularism and the respect for basic democratic liberties that safeguard the citizen’s private life in this country.

On October 10, 2009, the French National Federation of the Free Thought (FNLP, an IHEU Member Organization) organized a colloquium on the review of the law passed on August 6, 2004 concerning bioethics. At the end of this colloquium, and without renouncing to carry on the reflection of today’s free and fruitful debate, the FNLP insists on recalling that no special morality should curb or guide scientific research towards any other goa but knowledge and the improvement of the conditions of humankind.

At its national congress last month, French IHEU member organization Libre Pensée unanimously passed a resolution on respect for private life in the context of recent French publicity stigmatizing the wearing of the burqua and niqab.

“Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains” (Jean-Jacques Rousseau). This is a fact: Freedom is not universally respected, even in western countries. All the governments – not only in so-called “Muslim” countries – that currently oppose human rights in the name of “cultural diversity” are also against any separation of religions and the state.

French TV has covered the work of IHEU and its main representative Roy Brown at the United Nations Human Rights Council in a documentary programme. A 19-minute video extract is now available. It is particularly effective in demonstrating the work of some national delegations in attempting to stifle criticism in the Council.

The French Libre Pensée is well known in France and abroad for its permanent campaign in favour of the separation of state and religion. They also campaign for other causes, such as pacifism and anti-militarism. Indeed, just as citizens should not be subjected to religious obscurantism and should not be required to pay for religions they do not belong to, neither should they fall victim to war.

We demand JUSTICE for the soldiers executed as an example during WW1!

Mr President of the Republic

We heard your speech delivered on November 11, 2008 at the National Necropolis of Douaumont – Meuse, concerning the soldiers executed as an example during WW1 . You said:

IHEU member organization Libre Pensee Francaise has issued press releases on recognition of Vatican diplomats by France, and on dying with dignity.

On the occasion of the recent visit to France of Pope Benedict XVI, an international secularist rally was held in Paris at the Japy Hall on September 14, 2008. It was a landmark event of secularist activity during Pope Benedict's visit.