The representatives of the Defender of Rights protect people in dispute with an administration.
The representatives of the Defender of Rights – Claire Hédon since July – are discreet characters. However, they have an important mediating role in the world of justice. When a person considers that his rights are infringed by the administration implicating him, he seizes a delegate who can demonstrate his good faith according to the situation. In the Gard, there are seven protectors of rights and freedoms: Patrick Bellet, Guy Bergenti, René Cret, Gisèle Guillemin, Michel Molière, Daniel Pansier and Pierre Puech.
They are most often referred to for complaints relating to dysfunctions of the public service, on questions relating to social protection, road law, foreigners’ rights, taxation and local public services. The referral files more rarely concern the rights of the child, discrimination and the rules of ethics governing the activities of security professionals. For example, a suspension of allowances from the Caf, a suspension of visitation rights in prison, discrimination during a professional assessment or difficulties in the care of a minor unaccompanied by the child welfare… Business is diverse.
In the Gard, figures above the regional average
“ In 2020, the Gard delegates received 1 307 referrals including 639 complaints and 668 requests for information. ” While this figure seems significant, it is down 24% compared to 2019 due to the health crisis, “the Gard delegates recorded a number of referrals per 100,000 inhabitants which remains well above the regional average in Occitanie”. A seventh delegate, René Cret, former mayor of Bagnols-sur-Cèze, was appointed at the end of 2020, “which allowed the opening of three new offices in Remoulins, Uzès and Pont-Saint-Esprit”, specifies the press release.
Of all the mediations initiated by the representatives of the Defender of Rights, the amicable resolution rate is encouraging: it stands at 81%.
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