The 2025 annual report of the Defender of Rights draws the alarming observation of a generalized deterioration of access to rights in France, marked by an unprecedented increase of 17% in complaints (+165,000). For the year 2025, it notably reports “insufficient management of mental health needs, with a lack of professionals, a lack of places in child psychiatry and fragmentation of care” which places patients in situations of “disruption of care that could have irreversible consequences on their health”.
Each year, the Defender of Rights reports on her action in the five missions assigned to her: defense of the rights and freedoms of users of public services, defense and promotion of children’s rights, fight against discrimination and promotion of equality, respect for ethics by security professionals, guidance and protection of whistleblowers. The institution denounces an erosion of public services, exacerbated by rigid dematerialization which excludes the most vulnerable and generates irreversible consequences, particularly in terms of mental health and child protection.
This massive increase in complaints (17% in one year, and 70% over five years), reflects a growing tension within French society, particularly visible in relations with public services and foreigners’ rights, the latter area now representing 40% of requests, mainly because of the persistent dysfunctions of the digital administration for foreigners in France (ANEF).
The report also denounces a profound deterioration of public service which weakens life paths. Poorly supported dematerialization and the complexity of administrative procedures lead to a non-recourse to essential social rights for the most precarious. These obstacles are also found in the health sector, where the absence of digital alternatives and the lack of accessibility cause serious disruptions in care. For detained people, the inability to access administrative sites becomes a major obstacle to reintegration and renewal of identity documents.
The situation of minors, particularly alarming
The Defender of Rights points to massive attacks on the best interests of the child. Failures in child protection, marked by inadequate treatment times and precarious accommodation in hotels or lodges, required the adoption of urgent framework decisions. At the same time, the report is concerned about the mental health crisis among young people and the persistent obstacles to the education of children with disabilities, who are refused accommodation or access to the canteen. “The annual report shows insufficient management of mental health needs, with a lack of professionals, a lack of space in child psychiatry and fragmentation of care”.
In terms of the fight against discrimination, disability remains the primary reason for referral. “The Defender of Rights notes the obstacles to educational success, particularly for children with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds. It also notes discrimination and inadequate support for disabilities: refusal of access to the school canteen, refusal to accommodate exam tests or even delays in responses from departmental centers for disabled people (MDPH)”. A point of vigilance is also raised regarding secularism: erroneous interpretations of the law lead to discriminatory practices based on religion, requiring constant legal reminders from the Defender. Finally, the report highlights persistent points of friction regarding the ethics of security forces and the protection of whistleblowers.
• The Defender of Rights publishes its annual report for the year 2025.
