France
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- semi-presidential republic
- CONSTITUTION
- October 4, 1958; amended several times, last in 2008
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on civil law; administrative acts can be reviewed but not legislative ones; has not submitted to the jurisdiction of the ICJ
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- Bicameral Parliament (Parlement), Senate (Senat) and National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation (composed of the president of the court, 6 division presidents, 120 merit judges, and 70 substitute judges organized into 6 divisions: 3 civil, 1 commercial, 1 labor, and 1 criminal); Constitutional Council (composed of 9 members); Courts of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Regional Courts or Tribunal de Grande Instance; First Instance Courts or Tribunal d'instance; Administrative Courts
RELIGIONS
Roman Catholic 47%, Muslim 4%, Protestant 2%, Buddhist 2%, Orthodox 1%, Jewish 1%, Other 1%, None 33%, Not specified 9% (estimate 2021)
From the country
- JANUARY 27, 2004FranceDEATH PENALTY
Dozens of French MPs led a protest against human rights...
Dozens of French MPs led a protest against human rights in China by boycotting the Chinese president's address to the French parliament
- SEPTEMBER 24, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
Saw the commencement in Paris of the European tour...
Saw the commencement in Paris of the European tour conducted by former Governor of Illinois George Ryan and Leroy Orange, the ex death row inmate he pardoned
- SEPTEMBER 18, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
A Moroccan court on sentenced Frenchman Pierre Robert...
A Moroccan court on sentenced Frenchman Pierre Robert to life imprisonment under anti-terrorism legislation introduced following suicide bombings by Islamist extremists in Casablanca in May 2003
- JULY 14, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
In a declaration announced by Ensemble Contre La Peine...
In a declaration announced by Ensemble Contre La Peine De Mort, the French organisation said amongst other things: "A moratorium means less executions and death sentences on the decrease
- JUNE 30, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
A French humanitarian group said it was opposed to...
A French humanitarian group said it was opposed to the death sentences passed on Pakistani extremists for the murder of French nationals, even though some of its members had personal links with the victims
- JUNE 23, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
Iran insisted that it wanted France to extradite members...
Iran insisted that it wanted France to extradite members of an armed opposition group arrested in a major roundup of the exile organisation
- APRIL 24, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
France was a cosponsor and voted in favour of the resolution...
France was a cosponsor and voted in favour of the resolution on the death penalty approved by the UN Commission on Human Rights, in Geneva
- JANUARY 24, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
Indian Deputy Prime Minister L
Indian Deputy Prime Minister L
- JANUARY 1, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
France has been totally abolitionist since 1981
France has been totally abolitionist since 1981
- JANUARY 1, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
France has signed but not yet ratified Protocol No...
France has signed but not yet ratified Protocol No 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms banning the death penalty in all circumstances
- JANUARY 1, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
The last public execution by guillotine was carried...
The last public execution by guillotine was carried out on June 17, 1939
- NOVEMBER 7, 2002FranceDEATH PENALTY
Sylvie Teller, who was to go as Miss France, said:...
Sylvie Teller, who was to go as Miss France, said: "When a woman faces the most agonising death, there are more important things in life than winning a crown for being beautiful