REGIONAL CHARTER OF THE VALUES OF THE REPUBLIC AND SECULARISM
Preamble
The Île-de-France Region commits to preserving and defending the values enshrined in the founding texts of the Republic, namely the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789, the Preamble to the Constitution of October 27, 1946, and the Constitution of October 4, 1958, as well as the principle of secularism guaranteed by the law of December 9, 1905.
The Regional Charter of the Values of the Republic and Secularism is the expression of this commitment and is binding on all its agents, users, and partners whose actions it financially supports. It is particularly meaningful in a context where the French Republic might face regular provocations and/or attacks aimed at challenging its foundational values.
France is an indivisible, secular, democratic, and social Republic. It ensures equality before the law throughout its territory for all citizens, without distinction of origin, sex, sexual orientation or identity, or religion. It guarantees equal rights for women and men.
Secularism is based on three principles: freedom of conscience and worship, the separation of public institutions and religious organizations, and the equality of all before the law, regardless of their beliefs or convictions.
The values of the Republic enable the exercise of citizenship. They entail the rejection of all violence and discrimination, guarantee equality between women and men, and are based on a culture of respect and understanding of others. Adherence to these values dictates that no religious principle is superior to them.
No one may invoke political, philosophical, or religious beliefs to avoid applying the principles and values of the Republic. No one may be troubled for their opinions, provided their expression does not disturb public order. Freedom of religion or belief necessarily encounters limits related to respect for religious pluralism and the freedom not to believe, the protection of the rights and freedoms of others, the maintenance of public order, civil peace, and living together.
While the law mandates the principle of neutrality for public services, both public service users and private actors must not impede the freedom and free will of others, in the interest of the common good.
The Region commits to promoting and upholding these principles in all areas of its activity, while guaranteeing everyone freedom of membership and access to services, non-discrimination, zero tolerance for incivility, and the rejection of provocation, violence, and incitement to hatred.
(Excerpts)
Organizations supported by the Region
Article 4
All public or private legal entities supported by the Region respect and ensure respect for the principles and values of the Republic.
Organizations belonging to the popular education and youth movement and the sports movement are particularly committed to transmitting these values through their educational works, associative actions, and in sports.
In this regard, they contribute to the equal treatment of all, without distinction of origin, sex, sexual orientation or identity, or religion, and combat all forms of discrimination.
They commit to upholding equality between women and men, reject all forms of sexism and violence against girls, whether minors or adults, and women, all forms of harassment, the imposed wearing of religious attire, and the refusal of contact or hierarchical relationships with women.
They ensure the moral and physical integrity of young people, especially minors (psychological or physical abuse, sexual violence, psychological manipulation).
They protect their members, employees, volunteers, and users against any proselytism that would constitute a form of pressure and prevent them from exercising their free will and making their own choices.
They do not accept that individuals may invoke their religious affiliation to refuse to comply with the laws of the Republic.
They do not tolerate violence, incivility, or any other behavior signifying rejection and hatred of others, particularly on sports fields and in stadium stands.
Users of regional public facilities and services
Article 5
Freedom of conscience applies to citizens and users of regional public facilities and services.
Users' right to express their religious, trade union, political, or philosophical beliefs is exercised within the limits of the proper functioning and neutrality of public service, respect for republican values and the pluralism of beliefs, as well as public order, safety, and hygiene requirements.
Article 6
Users of regional public services must refrain, within the premises dedicated to said service, from acts of religious proselytism towards other users or public service agents that could undermine the neutrality of the service, as well as any behavior likely to jeopardize hygiene or safety rules or disturb public order.
Article 7
Users of regional public services cannot invoke political, philosophical, or religious beliefs to avoid applying the principles and values of the Republic, nor to undermine social cohesion.
They also cannot challenge a regional public official or other users of the same public service, nor demand an adaptation of the public service's operation or a public facility.
Excerpts from the main founding texts
Articles 4 and 10 of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789:
“Article 4: Liberty consists in being able to do anything that does not harm others: thus, the exercise of the natural rights of each man has no bounds other than those that assure to other Members of Society the enjoyment of these same rights. These bounds can be determined only by law.”
“Article 10: No one shall be disquieted on account of his opinions, even religious, provided their manifestation does not disturb the public order established by law.”
Excerpt from the Preamble to the Constitution of October 27, 1946:
“3. The law guarantees women, in all fields, rights equal to those of men.”
Excerpt from Article 1 of the Constitution of October 4, 1958:
“France is an indivisible, secular, democratic, and social Republic. It ensures equality before the law for all citizens, without distinction of origin, race, or religion. It respects all beliefs (…).”
Article 1 of the Law of December 9, 1905, concerning the separation of Churches and State:
“The Republic guarantees freedom of conscience. It guarantees the free exercise of religions, subject only to the restrictions hereinafter enacted in the interest of public order.”
Reminder of the commitments of regional partners
Deliberation No. CR 2017-51 of March 9, 2017, concerning the Regional Charter of the Values of the Republic and Secularism, makes the allocation of regional grants conditional on the respect and promotion of this charter, within the limits and in compliance with current laws and regulations.
To this end, a copy of the charter, signed by the legal representative of the organization applying for a regional council grant, must be appended to its grant application. Local authorities, their groupings, public establishments, and the State, in particular, are exempt from this obligation.
The implementation of the provisions of this charter is also included in the activity report or, where applicable, in the financial report, for actions supported by regional funding.
Any proven failure to respect the values of the charter will result in the non-payment or reimbursement of the regional grant awarded, under the conditions specified by the budgetary and financial regulations of the Île-de-France Region.
The full Regional Charter of the Values of the Republic and Secularism can be consulted on the Île-de-France Region's website: www.iledefrance.fr