The Local France

How long can Brits stay in the UK without losing their EU residency?

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 15:01:54 +0100

The coronavirus pandemic has seen many British nationals resident in the EU return to the UK, but those 'waiting out' Covid-19 back in Britain could lose their rights to live in their host country. Here's what you need to know to make sure you keep your EU residency status.

'Securing rights of Britons in Europe is legally possible, they just need to try'

Fri, 08 Mar 2019 10:27:40 +0100

The EU says it won't negotiate "mini deals" and the "contemptuous" UK government doesn't seem interested in actively pursuing the Costa Amendment. But legal experts say ring-fencing the rights of Britons in the EU is achievable if it was just made a priority.

FOCUS: Terror-weary French choose security over sacred liberté

Wed, 04 Oct 2017 11:16:22 +0200

France is proud of its human rights traditions -- but after a wave of jihadist attacks few are standing in the way of a new anti-terror law that campaigners say erodes freedoms.

Why alarm bells are ringing over France’s new law to fight terror

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 17:18:11 +0200

France’s nearly two year state of emergency will soon come to an end but worried rights groups say the French public should be far more concerned about what comes next.

Azerbaijan sues French reporters who called it 'dictatorship'

Tue, 05 Sep 2017 13:18:28 +0200

A court will today hear an unprecedented defamation lawsuit by Azerbaijan against two French journalists in a case that critics describe as an attempt by the ex-Soviet republic to “export its censorship to France."

5 practical things Brits abroad can do to keep UK in the EU

Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:00:00 +0200

If you're a pro-EU Brit living abroad, there's plenty you can do to keen Britain 'in', explains Laura Shields from the Brits Abroad: Yes to Europe initiative.

France forces closure of three 'radical mosques'

Wed, 02 Dec 2015 16:53:22 +0100

The French government announced on Wednesday that three mosques deemed to be "radical" have been closed down in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.

'France's protest ban will only lead to more trouble'

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 20:04:00 +0200

After three banned pro-Palestinian protests ended in full scale riots, the French government must now decide whether to allow another demo to go ahead on Saturday. The head of the French League of Human Rights tells The Local it would be major mistake to ban it.

'We've never had liberté, egalité or fraternité'

Tue, 20 Aug 2013 19:57:00 +0200

When limbless French swimming hero Philippe Croizon's wheelchair was stolen, he received a flood of public sympathy. But now he is demanding for the disabled the "liberté, egalité, fraternité" the French Revolution promised over 200 years ago.

Aggrieved fathers spend night on cathedral roof

Fri, 10 May 2013 11:42:00 +0200

A group of angry fathers remained perched on a terrace on the roof of the famous cathedral in the French city of Orléans on Friday morning after spending the night out in the open in protest over restricted access to their children.

'Cannabis clubs are the solution, not the problem'

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:36:00 +0200

'Cannabis clubs' all over France have taken the high-risk move of registering with authorities as non-profit organizations. A leading activist tells The Local why the clubs should be seen as part of solution to the drug problem.

French weed users register 'cannabis clubs'

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:54:00 +0100

Cannabis users across France took a high-risk step on Tuesday by registering “Cannabis social clubs” with local authorities as official non-profit organizations. The stunt is a bid to win public backing but it could land them up to 30 years in jail.

Outrage as diner shuns blind man over guide dog

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:30:00 +0100

A blind man has expressed his outrage after he was refused entry to a restaurant in the north of France because his guide dog was not allowed in for "hygiene reasons", despite a law specifying the animals must be welcomed in all public places.

France ends 'costly' jury trial experiment

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:05:00 +0100

France announced this week it is to abandon jury trials in certain criminal courts, calling time on former President Nicolas Sarkozy's flagship attempt to ‘democratize’ the French justice system.

French PM slammed over votes for foreigners

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:38:00 +0100

Members of the French opposition have attacked Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault after his announcement this week that he intends to push ahead with plans to extend certain voting rights to all foreigners.

Crucifix-wearing air steward wins European court ruling

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:17:07 +0100

A British Airways employee suffered discrimination at work over the wearing of a cross, European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg ruled on Tuesday.

Gay adoption ban to be dropped in France

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 12:01:00 +0200

Plans for new gay marriage laws will allow same-sex couples the same rights to adopt as heterosexual couples, French Justice Minister Christiane Taubira announced to the press today.

Romanian 12-year-old spends two weeks in jail

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:27:00 +0200

A Paris court sent a Romanian boy to jail this summer after the authorities failed to realize he was just 12 years old.

Fury as executioner's torture collection is sold

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:58:00 +0200

A French auction house is auctioning several hundred torture and execution devices, including hanging ropes and hand crushers, collected by one of France’s last executioners. Rights groups have condemned the show as "shocking".

Uproar over French traffic fine database

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:57:00 +0200

The French Interior Ministry is launching a new database to keep track of car owners who challenge fines. A group of French lawyers say the move is illegal and a violation of the rights of citizens.