Freedom of expression, association and movement, equality and the fight against discrimination: the principles of the Republic in questions.
In the exam, the questions are in French: the translation is an aid to help you understand.
Le principe d’égalité signifie que :
The principle of equality means that:
- ✓AnswerLa loi est la même pour toutes les personnesThe law is the same for everyone
- Les Français ont plus de droits que les étrangersFrench people have more rights than foreigners
- Chacun doit avoir la même religionEveryone must have the same religion
- Tout le monde doit gagner le même salaireEveryone must earn the same salary
Explanation Equality is written into the 1958 Constitution and the Declaration of the Rights of Man: the law is the same for all. This does not prevent different treatment for different situations (e.g. reduced fares for students).
Source : L'égalité (1/3) · Official lists: CSP
"Liberté, égalité, fraternité", c’est :
"Liberty, equality, fraternity" is:
- Le premier vers de la MarseillaiseThe first line of the Marseillaise
- Le titre de la ConstitutionThe title of the Constitution
- Le nom d'un parti politiqueThe name of a political party
- ✓AnswerLa devise de la République françaiseThe motto of the French Republic
Explanation "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité" has been the official motto of the Republic since 1848. It was born during the French Revolution and appears in the 1958 Constitution.
Source : La devise française · Official lists: CSP
A-t-on le droit d'insulter publiquement quelqu’un parce qu’il est différent (handicap, apparence physique, sexe…) ?
Is it legal to publicly insult someone because they are different (disability, physical appearance, sex…)?
- Oui, grâce à la liberté d'expressionYes, thanks to freedom of expression
- ✓AnswerNon, c'est interdit et puni par la loiNo, it is forbidden and punished by law
- Oui, si c'est sur les réseaux sociauxYes, if it is on social media
- Non, sauf si la personne est étrangèreNo, unless the person is a foreigner
Explanation The law recognises more than 26 grounds of discrimination (origin, sex, disability, physical appearance…). Insulting someone on one of these grounds is punished by a fine; freedom of expression does not allow it.
Source : L'égalité (3/3) · Official lists: CSP, CR
Qu’est-ce que l’égalité ?
What is equality?
- Payer tous exactement le même impôt, quels que soient ses revenusEveryone paying exactly the same tax, whatever their income
- Penser tous de la même façonEveryone thinking the same way
- Avoir tous le même niveau de vieEveryone having the same standard of living
- ✓AnswerAvoir les mêmes droits et les mêmes devoirs devant la loiHaving the same rights and duties before the law
Explanation Equality means equality before the law, equal civic rights (voting, standing for election) and equal access to public services, regardless of origin, sex or religion.
Source : L'égalité (1/3) · Official lists: CSP
Que signifie la liberté ?
What does liberty mean?
- Pouvoir faire tout ce que l'on veut, sans limiteBeing able to do whatever you want, without limits
- Pouvoir choisir les lois que l'on respecteBeing able to choose which laws you obey
- ✓AnswerPouvoir faire tout ce qui ne nuit pas aux autresBeing able to do anything that does not harm others
- Ne pas avoir à respecter les loisNot having to obey the law
Explanation Everyone can think, express themselves and live as they wish, with a single limit: not preventing others from doing the same. This liberty is guaranteed by the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man.
Source : La liberté · Official lists: CSP
Quel est l’un des rôles des associations ?
What is one of the roles of associations?
- Juger et punir les personnes qui ne respectent pas la loiJudging and punishing people who break the law
- Voter les lois à la place du ParlementVoting laws instead of Parliament
- Collecter les impôtsCollecting taxes
- ✓AnswerAgir ensemble pour un projet commun, sans but de profitActing together on a shared project, not for profit
Explanation Thanks to the 1901 law on freedom of association, anyone, French or foreign, can create or join an association to help others, defend ideas or share an activity, without seeking to make money.
Source : La fraternité (2/2) · Official lists: CSP
Quelle liberté permet à chacun d’exprimer ses idées ?
Which freedom allows everyone to express their ideas?
- La liberté de circulationFreedom of movement
- ✓AnswerLa liberté d'expressionFreedom of expression
- La liberté de la presse étrangèreFreedom of the foreign press
- La liberté du commerceFreedom of trade
Explanation Freedom of expression is a fundamental right guaranteed by the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man: everyone can speak, write and publish freely, within the limits set by law.
Source : Le blasphème · Official lists: CSP
Quelle proposition est correcte ? La liberté d'expression :
Which statement is correct? Freedom of expression:
- ✓AnswerA des limites : les insultes et les appels à la haine sont punisHas limits: insults and calls to hatred are punished
- Interdit de critiquer une religionForbids criticising a religion
- Permet de tout dire, sans aucune limite, même des insultes envers une personneAllows you to say anything, with no limits, even insults against a person
- Est réservée aux journalistesIs reserved for journalists
Explanation You can criticise an idea or a religion (blasphemy is not forbidden), but the law punishes insults against people, incitement to hatred, violence or discrimination, and Holocaust denial.
Source : Le blasphème · Official lists: CSP
Que garantit la liberté d’expression ?
What does freedom of expression guarantee?
- Le droit de parler seulement de sujets autorisés par l'ÉtatThe right to speak only about subjects allowed by the State
- Le droit de ne jamais être critiquéThe right never to be criticised
- ✓AnswerLe droit d'exprimer ses opinions, dans le respect de la loiThe right to express your opinions, within the law
- Le droit d'insulter une personne sans être puniThe right to insult a person without being punished
Explanation The 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man guarantees everyone the right to speak, write and publish freely. But the law punishes insults and calls to hatred or violence.
Source : Le blasphème · Official lists: CR
La liberté de circulation permet à toute personne de :
Freedom of movement allows everyone to:
- ✓AnswerSe déplacer librement sur le territoireMove around freely within the country
- Passer les frontières sans aucun documentCross borders without any documents
- Conduire une voiture sans permisDrive a car without a licence
- Entrer dans le domicile de quelqu'un sans son accordEnter someone's home without their consent
Explanation Freedom to come and go is one of each person's individual freedoms: you can travel within France, for example thanks to your residence permit. It ends where other people's freedom begins.
Source : La liberté · Official lists: CR
En application de la liberté individuelle, quelle proposition est correcte ? Une personne peut :
Under individual freedom, which statement is correct? A person can:
- Obliger sa fille à se marierForce their daughter to marry
- Interdire à son conjoint de travaillerForbid their spouse to work
- ✓AnswerVivre avec la personne de son choixLive with the person of their choice
- Empêcher son voisin de pratiquer sa religionPrevent their neighbour from practising their religion
Explanation Individual freedoms include moving around, having a religion or not, expressing an opinion and living with the person of your choice. No one can decide on an adult's behalf.
Source : La liberté · Official lists: CR
Que fait l’État pour lutter contre les discriminations ?
What does the State do to fight discrimination?
- Il laisse chaque employeur déciderIt lets each employer decide
- Il les autorise dans les entreprises privéesIt allows it in private companies
- ✓AnswerIl les interdit et les punit par la loiIt forbids it and punishes it by law
- Il ne fait rien, c'est une affaire privéeNothing, it is a private matter
Explanation The law recognises more than 26 grounds of discrimination (origin, sex, religion, disability…). Discrimination is punished by fines, and by prison for repeat offences. The State fights racism, antisemitism and sexism.
Source : L'égalité (3/3) · Official lists: CR
Qu'est-ce que la liberté d'association ?
What is freedom of association?
- L'obligation d'adhérer à un syndicatThe obligation to join a trade union
- Un droit réservé aux personnes de nationalité françaiseA right reserved for French nationals
- Le droit de se réunir seulement en familleThe right to meet only with your family
- ✓AnswerLe droit de créer une association ou d'en faire partieThe right to create an association or be a member of one
Explanation Freedom of association comes from a 1901 law. Anyone, French or foreign, can create or join an association. All it takes is at least two people and a non-profit aim.
Source : La fraternité (2/2) · Official lists: CR, Naturalisation
Qu'est-ce que la liberté ?
What is liberty?
- Avoir le droit de ne pas payer d'impôtsHaving the right not to pay taxes
- Pouvoir imposer ses idées et ses choix aux autresBeing able to impose your ideas and choices on others
- Ne respecter aucune règleNot obeying any rules
- ✓AnswerPouvoir agir librement sans nuire aux autresBeing able to act freely without harming others
Explanation Liberty allows everyone to think, express themselves and live as they wish, without stopping others from doing the same. It is one of the values of the motto, guaranteed by the 1789 Declaration.
Source : La liberté · Official lists: CR
Que peut faire un usager du service public dans une mairie ?
What can a public-service user do at a town hall?
- ✓AnswerPorter un signe religieuxWear a religious sign
- Refuser d'être servi par une femmeRefuse to be served by a woman
- Exiger d'être reçu par un agent de sa religionDemand to be served by an official of their religion
- Distribuer des tracts religieux au guichetHand out religious leaflets at the counter
Explanation Neutrality applies to officials, not to users: a user may wear a religious sign. But they must respect how the service works and cannot ask for it to be adapted for religious reasons.
Source : La laïcité dans les services publics · Official lists: CR, Naturalisation
La liberté d'association est :
Freedom of association is:
- Soumise à l'accord du maireSubject to the mayor's approval
- Réservée aux personnes de nationalité françaiseReserved for French nationals
- ✓AnswerUn droit garanti par une loi de 1901A right guaranteed by a 1901 law
- Une obligation pour chaque citoyenAn obligation for every citizen
Explanation Since the 1901 law, anyone, French or foreign, can create or join an association. To create one you need at least two people, statutes and a declaration to the prefecture or online.
Source : La fraternité (2/2) · Official lists: Naturalisation
La liberté d'expression sur les réseaux sociaux en France est :
Freedom of expression on social media in France is:
- ✓AnswerEncadrée par la loi, comme ailleursRegulated by law, as everywhere else
- Sans aucune limite, car c'est internetUnlimited, because it is the internet
- Réservée aux journalistesReserved for journalists
- Interdite en FranceForbidden in France
Explanation The rules online are the same as in real life: you can give your opinion and criticise, but insults, hate speech and incitement to violence or discrimination are punished.
Source : Le blasphème · Official lists: Naturalisation
Qu'est-ce qu'une liberté ?
What is a freedom?
- Une règle religieuseA religious rule
- Une obligation imposée par l'ÉtatAn obligation imposed by the State
- Un privilège réservé à certains citoyensA privilege reserved for some citizens
- ✓AnswerUn droit garanti, qui s'exerce dans les limites de la loiA guaranteed right, exercised within the limits of the law
Explanation A freedom is a right: moving around, expressing yourself, believing or not, gathering, joining a union… The State protects it and sets limits so that one person's freedom respects another's.
Source : La liberté · Official lists: Naturalisation
Quel terme désigne précisément la haine ou les préjugés contre les Juifs ?
Which term specifically refers to hatred of or prejudice against Jews?
- ✓AnswerL'antisémitismeAntisemitism
- Le négationnisme historiqueHistorical denialism
- L'homophobieHomophobia
- La xénophobieXenophobia
Explanation Antisemitism (l'antisémitisme) means hatred of or prejudice against Jews. Like racism and sexism, the State actively fights it, and its expressions (insults, refusal to hire…) are punished.
Source : L'égalité (3/3) · Official lists: Naturalisation
Parmi ces textes, lequel garantit les droits et libertés en France ?
Among these texts, which one guarantees rights and freedoms in France?
- Le Code de la routeThe Highway Code
- Le Code général des impôtsThe General Tax Code
- ✓AnswerLa ConstitutionThe Constitution
- Le règlement intérieur d'une entrepriseA company's internal rules
Explanation The 1958 Constitution and its Preamble (1789 Declaration, 1946 Preamble, Environmental Charter) form the "constitutional block". All laws must respect it.
Source : Présentation des principaux textes (2/3) : La Constitution de la Vème République · Official lists: CSP
Qu’est-ce que la liberté d’expression ?
What is freedom of expression?
- L'obligation de donner son avis sur la politiqueThe obligation to give your opinion on politics
- Le droit de parler uniquement en françaisThe right to speak only in French
- Le droit d'insulter et de menacer qui on veut, sans aucune limiteThe right to insult and threaten anyone, without any limit
- ✓AnswerLe droit de dire ce que l'on pense, dans le respect de la loiThe right to say what you think, within the law
Explanation Under Article 11 of the 1789 Declaration, everyone may speak, write and print freely, but must answer for abuses defined by law (insults, defamation, threats…).
Source : Les droits liés à la personne humaine · Official lists: CSP
Concernant les limites aux libertés individuelles, quelle proposition est correcte ?
Regarding the limits of individual freedoms, which statement is correct?
- Les libertés sont limitées selon la religion de chacunFreedoms are limited according to each person's religion
- ✓AnswerMa liberté s'arrête là où elle nuit aux autresMy freedom ends where it harms others
- Seuls les étrangers ont des libertés limitéesOnly foreigners have limited freedoms
- Les libertés individuelles n'ont aucune limiteIndividual freedoms have no limits
Explanation Article 4 of the 1789 Declaration: "Liberty consists in being able to do anything that does not harm others". Freedoms are also limited by the general interest, public order and human dignity.
Source : La limite des libertés individuelles · Official lists: CSP
Pourquoi les libertés individuelles peuvent-elles être limitées ?
Why can individual freedoms be limited?
- Pour punir les personnes étrangèresTo punish foreigners
- Pour favoriser une religionTo favour one religion
- Pour que le gouvernement ne soit jamais critiquéSo that the government is never criticised
- ✓AnswerPour protéger les autres et l'ordre publicTo protect others and public order
Explanation Freedoms are limited by the general interest, other people's freedoms, public order (safety, peace, public health) and human dignity. These limits are set by law.
Source : La limite des libertés individuelles · Official lists: CSP
Que garantit la liberté de la presse ?
What does freedom of the press guarantee?
- Que les journaux sont gratuits pour tousThat newspapers are free for everyone
- ✓AnswerQue les journalistes peuvent informer librementThat journalists can report freely
- Que les journalistes ne sont jamais poursuivis, quoi qu'ils écriventThat journalists are never prosecuted, whatever they write
- Que l'État choisit ce que publient les journauxThat the State chooses what newspapers publish
Explanation Article 11 of the 1789 Declaration allows people to "speak, write and print freely". The State does not censor newspapers, but abuses (defamation, insults…) are still punished by law.
Source : Présentation des principaux textes (1/3) : La Déclaration des droits de l'homme et du citoyen · Official lists: CR, Naturalisation
Que signifie la dignité humaine ?
What does human dignity mean?
- Le respect est réservé aux citoyens françaisRespect is reserved for French citizens
- Le respect dépend de la richesse de chacunRespect depends on how rich a person is
- ✓AnswerChaque personne mérite le respect, sans conditionEvery person deserves respect, unconditionally
- Seuls les adultes en bonne santé méritent le respectOnly healthy adults deserve respect
Explanation Every human being has value, whatever their age, sex, health, religion or origin, and must never be treated as an object. It is the basis of all fundamental rights.
Source : La dignité humaine · Official lists: CR
L'État peut-il limiter les droits et libertés ?
Can the State limit rights and freedoms?
- Oui, mais seulement pour les étrangersYes, but only for foreigners
- Non, jamais, dans aucune situationNo, never, in any situation
- Oui, sans aucune règle ni contrôleYes, without any rules or checks
- ✓AnswerOui, dans les cas prévus par la loiYes, in the cases set by law
Explanation Limits on freedoms "can only be set by law" (Article 4 of the 1789 Declaration). Example: hiding your face in public spaces is forbidden.
Source : La limite des libertés individuelles · Official lists: CR
Pour quel motif peut-on limiter la liberté d'expression ?
On what grounds can freedom of expression be limited?
- Pour empêcher les citoyens de critiquer le gouvernementTo stop citizens from criticising the government
- ✓AnswerPour sanctionner l'injure ou l'appel à la haineTo punish insults or incitement to hatred
- Pour interdire de parler de religionTo ban talking about religion
- Pour interdire les langues étrangèresTo ban foreign languages
Explanation Under Article 11 of the 1789 Declaration, everyone answers for "abuse of this freedom in cases set by law". Insults, defamation, threats and incitement to hatred are punished. Criticising the government is allowed.
Source : Présentation des principaux textes (1/3) : La Déclaration des droits de l'homme et du citoyen · Official lists: CR, Naturalisation
Quel exemple illustre une limitation de liberté pour protéger l'intérêt général ?
Which example shows a freedom being limited to protect the general interest?
- ✓AnswerLe confinement contre le Covid-19 en 2020The Covid-19 lockdown in 2020
- L'interdiction de voter pour un parti d'oppositionA ban on voting for an opposition party
- L'interdiction de se marier avec la personne de son choixA ban on marrying the person of your choice
- L'interdiction de choisir sa religionA ban on choosing your religion
Explanation In March 2020, the health state of emergency limited freedom of movement and of assembly to protect everyone's health. Such limits must be set by law and be temporary.
Source : La limite des libertés individuelles · Official lists: CR
Que permet la liberté de circulation ?
What does freedom of movement allow?
- Ne pas respecter le code de la routeIgnoring the Highway Code
- ✓AnswerSe déplacer librement sur le territoireMoving freely around the country
- Entrer chez quelqu'un sans lui demander son accordEntering someone's home without asking their consent
- Conduire une voiture sans permisDriving a car without a licence
Explanation Freedom of movement lets you travel within France; for a foreign national, thanks to their residence permit. It can be limited for public order, as during the 2020 lockdown.
Source : La liberté · Official lists: Naturalisation
Quelle situation est une atteinte à la dignité humaine ?
Which situation is an attack on human dignity?
- Critiquer un film à la télévisionCriticising a film on television
- Refuser une invitation à dînerTurning down a dinner invitation
- ✓AnswerFaire travailler une personne de force, sans la payerForcing someone to work without paying them
- Ne pas partager l'avis politique de son voisin de palierNot sharing your next-door neighbour's political views
Explanation A human being must never be treated as an object. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights bans torture, slavery and forced labour in the name of human dignity.
Source : La dignité humaine · Official lists: Naturalisation
Qu'est-ce que la liberté d'expression ?
What is freedom of expression?
- Devoir publier ses opinions sur internetHaving to post your opinions online
- Pouvoir diffuser des rumeurs et des mensonges sur ses voisins sans être puniBeing able to spread rumours and lies about neighbours without punishment
- Ne pouvoir parler que de sujets autorisés par l'ÉtatBeing allowed to talk only about State-approved topics
- ✓AnswerPouvoir donner son opinion librement, sans nuire aux autresBeing able to give your opinion freely, without harming others
Explanation In France, everyone can think and express themselves as they wish. The only limit is not harming others. The law punishes, for example, insults, threats and defamation.
Source : La liberté · Official lists: Naturalisation