A/HRC/23/3 9. Someone living in France now had more opportunities to denounce any discrimination of which he or she was victim, particularly in employment. Each Government procurator’s office in the French court system included an anti-discrimination focal point, whose jurisdiction covered all acts committed on the basis of the victim’s ethnic group, nation, race, religion or sexual orientation. 10. A person living in France was now better protected in his or her relations with the law enforcement agencies. The French authorities paid particular attention to the conditions in which individuals were arrested, detained or subjected to any other measure of deprivation of liberty. Three main principles governed this: absolute respect for persons, regardless of their nationality or origin; use of proportionate force only as strictly necessary; and protection and respect for the dignity of persons detained. 11. The Government that had come to power after the spring 2012 elections was determined to ensure that its actions helped to establish greater protection for fundamental freedoms. A Ministry of Women’s Rights had been set up to promote all measures intended to enforce and promote women’s rights in society. It was also responsible for coordinating the Government’s work against violence and discrimination related to sexual orientation and gender identity. 12. France had adopted a National Plan of Action against Racism and Anti-Semitism (2012–2014) (see below). It had also developed the French Government Strategy for the Inclusion of Roma (see below). 13. The Minister of Justice had announced a series of measures designed to continue the improvements being made to the country’s prison policy (see below). 14. The Government that had come to power after the spring 2012 elections was also committed to adopting a new immigration policy, in order both to assume its responsibilities and to ensure humane treatment. A bill was being drafted to introduce a multi-year residence permit for foreigners and thus help them integrate better into life in France. Serious consideration was also being given to the law on naturalization. 15. The entry into and stay of foreigners in the country was monitored, and certain rights, such as the right to work and access to certain social benefits, were granted only to those foreigners in a regular situation. However, whatever their status, all foreigners in France could have access to emergency accommodation and benefit from State medical assistance, which gave them access to health care. 16. All the progress that had been made in the area of human rights since 2008 was also valid in the overseas territories, on the basis of the principle of equality between French citizens. However, each territory had its own geographical, historical and social circumstances. It was not always possible to address problems in the same way as in mainland France, and the State was trying to come up with appropriate responses, such as, at a time of economic crisis, the economic and social conferences that were being held in each of the different territories. 17. Finally, France was a “social Republic” and thus strongly believed in the interdependence of economic, social and cultural rights and civil and political rights. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 18. During the interactive dialogue, 84 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 19. Italy commended France on its National Plan of Action against Racism and AntiSemitism and asked about resources allocated for its implementation. It enquired about the 4 GE.13-12484