Defender of Rights : VoxPublic stands alongside civil society in the face of a crucial appointment for rights and freedoms

Context

In the coming days, the French President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, will appoint a new head of the Defender of Rights. This person, who will succeed Claire Hédon, will hold the position for the next six years.

The Defender of Rights is an independent authority that is essential to the balance of democracy : it safeguards the fundamental rights and freedoms of everyone and acts as a major institutional counterweight. Against a national and international backdrop characterised by increasing infringements on individual freedoms and the rule of law, the choice of the person to hold this position is of particular importance.

In response to this, civil society organisations and trade unions are mobilised during June (and going forward) to ensure that the next Defender of Rights will be a person whose views and commitments are fully aligned with the principles of the institution. These organisations and trade unions are calling on the President of the Republic to ensure that this appointment is equal to the tasks and responsibilities entrusted to this administrative authority, in order to guarantee its independence, credibility and capacity for action.

Civil society mobilisation

More than 100 organisations and trade unions have rallied behind the petition ‘Defender of Rights : a crucial appointment for rights and freedoms’. To build on this momentum, the organisations called on several influencers, who backed the campaign by sharing the petition on their social media and helping it to reach over 100,000 signatures !

The advocacy work carried out by organisations

At the same time, organisations and trade unions have coordinated their advocacy efforts with the public authorities. A letter addressed to Emmanuel Macron was sent to book a meeting to present their demands and requests to the Élysée Palace.

A campaign is also underway targeting parliamentarians from the National Assembly and the Senate, as they will soon be called upon to vote on the candidate proposed by the President of the Republic. Organisations and trade unions are calling on them to exercise their power of democratic oversight and to oppose the appointment of any individual who does not offer a guarantee of respect for fundamental rights and freedoms and the values of the institution.

The role of VoxPublic

Since its creation, VoxPublic has been committed to fight all forms of discrimination by supporting a number of projects run by collectives and organisations working on the ground. Ensuring that the future Defender of Rights is committed to fight discrimination also means safeguarding the conditions in which these projects can exist and thrive.

Among the organisations and groups working to fight discrimination and promote the rule of law that are supported by VoxPublic :

1. CHO3, with its ‘Right to the Bus’ campaign to improve accessibility on Marseille’s bus network.
2. Flagrant Déni and its investigation into the IGPN, the police internal inspectorate, which reveals the systemic mechanisms behind police impunity. 

For this cross-organisation initiative about the Defender of Rights, VoxPublic specifically acts as a facilitator in discussions, coordinates the initiatives undertaken by the organisations, and acts as a liaison with decision-makers and the French and international press.

UPDATE JULY 2026

On 7 July 2026, Emmanuel Macron officially proposed the appointment of François-Noël Buffet as Defender of Rights. This choice has been contested by civil society and has sparked fierce opposition.

Read here the joint press release dated 8 July 2026, coordinated by VoxPublic : over 80 signatories and an impressive press review !

Press review

• La vie ouvrière, « L’intersyndicale vent debout contre la nomination de François-Noël Buffet au poste de Défenseur des droits » (Trade union coalition strongly opposes the appointment of François-Noël Buffet as a Defender of Rights), May 28, 2026.
• Le Monde, « La possible nomination de François-Noël Buffet, figure de la droite conservatrice, au poste de Défenseur des droits ulcère associations et syndicats » (The possible appointment of François-Noël Buffet, a leading figure on the conservative right, to the post of Defender of Rights is causing concern amongst associations and trade unions), June 3, 2026.
• 20 minutes, « Défenseur des droits : Une pétition de plus de 50.000 signataires interpelle Macron » (Defender of Rights : A petition with over 50,000 signatories calls on Macron), June 16, 2026.
• Médiapart, "François-Noël Buffet futur Défenseur des droits ? « Travailler pour un réactionnaire, on ne s’y retrouvera pas »" (François-Noël Buffet – future Defender of Rights ? “Working for a reactionary – we won’t be able to make sense of it”), June 24, 2026.