France appoints controversial senator as human rights ombudsman
The 62-year-old senator replaces Claire Hédon in the role of Defender of Rights, a decision critics argue is incompatible with the institution’s mandate to protect vulnerable communities.
French lawmakers have narrowly approved Senator François-Noël Buffet as the new Defender of Rights, the country’s human rights ombudsman, following a tense joint session of the National Assembly and Senate. The vote concluded with 43 members in favour and 39 against, confirming President Emmanuel Macron’s choice to replace outgoing Defender Claire Hédon, whose six-year term expired on Monday. The appointment has triggered immediate backlash from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and human rights organisations, who contend that Buffet’s historical political record is fundamentally at odds with the duties of the role.
Buffet, a 62-year-old lawyer and senator from the Rhône department, is described as a close ally of hardline former interior minister Bruno Retailleau. Critics have pointed to his specific voting history as evidence of his incompatibility with the ombudsman’s mission to defend the rights of marginalised groups. Notably, Buffet campaigned against the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2013 and opposed legislation extending medically assisted reproduction to single women and lesbian couples in 2021. He also abstained during the 2024 vote to enshrine abortion rights in the French constitution.
The nomination was quietly confirmed by the Elysée Palace on 7 July, a date that coincided with high-profile legal proceedings involving far-right leader Marine Le Pen. Staff within the Defender of Rights office had previously expressed dismay at the prospect of Buffet taking over, with one worker describing the choice as disbelief at a politician whose views starkly contrast with the institution’s recommendations. The role, which operates independently of the government, is tasked with defending citizens whose rights are infringed and ensuring equal protection under the law.
During a hearing before the National Assembly’s Legal Affairs Committee, Buffet faced sharp questioning regarding his past votes. He stated that he had “evolved” on several issues and promised “total independence” in his new role. When pressed on his opposition to same-sex marriage, he admitted to having doubts about the consequences at the time but insisted he did not doubt the principle itself. He also highlighted his previous work on improving prison conditions and disability accessibility in Oullins, where he served as mayor for two decades until 2017.
Despite these assurances, advocacy groups have condemned the appointment as a significant step back for minority rights. Nicolas Faget, a spokesperson for the Association of Gay and Lesbian Parents and Future Parents, described the choice as “absurd and scary,” warning that the bulwarks shielding same-sex parents from discrimination are now at risk. Critics have also linked the appointment to political horse-trading, suggesting Macron is placing allies in key positions before leaving office next year, a move they argue undermines the integrity of institutions meant to protect the most vulnerable.
