Six questions for Louis Schweitzer

Has the problem of discrimination in France become so serious that we have to create a Haute Autorité [High Commission]?

Louis Schweitzer: I don't think there's more discrimination today than there was 20 years ago, or that our country is more affected than its Western neighbors. Real strides has been made in some areas. However, as was the case until recently with the rules of the road, the French don't always obey the law. That's what we have to change. My priority will be to get the word out about Halde, so that victims of discrimination contact us and, in five years, people will no longer be resigned to simply accepting discrimination.

What are Halde's missions?

L. S.: First of all, to fight all types of discrimination prohibited by law or treaty. People always think in terms of ethnic origin, but there are all kinds of discrimination: gender, age, physical appearance, handicaps, as well as regarding religious, union or political affiliations. In both professional and private life. We're going to investigate cases, including through testing, to establish evidence. Then we'll act as an intermediary or take the case to court, to conciliation boards or civil or criminal courts, if warranted, to establish precedents and case law. Discrimination is a misdemeanor punishable by fine and imprisonment. If we discover a problem, we have the authority to refer a case to ourselves and to make suggestions and recommendations, including changes to laws. Another mission is to promote equal opportunity.

Are you an advocate of quotas?

L. S.: We have quotas in two areas: female representation in politics and jobs for the handicapped, which companies don't always comply with. It may be that the fine isn't dissuasive enough. But I don't think we should go any farther with quotas. On the other hand, I'm convinced we need to make special efforts to train disadvantaged individuals, to restore genuine equal opportunity. Experiments like those carried out by Sciences Po are remarkable.

Are you in favor of public recognition for ethical employers?

L. S.: There's no doubt that communication is one of the most powerful tools in modern society. Large corporations and local communities are very concerned about their image. One role of Halde will be to publicize the ones that uphold good practices, as well as the ones that don't.

How would you sum up your first few months in existence?

L. S.: More and more mail is coming in, about 15 letters a day right now. We've started investigating some cases and making decisions about the principal topics raised: jobs, housing and access to goods and services. The most common complaints have to do with age, handicapped status, and national or ethnic origin.

Your limited budget (10.7 million euros in 2005) has caused a certain amount of skepticism.

L. S.: Halde has been up and running since June and will have a staff of 50 by the end of the year. It will never be a big institution, but we have the means to deal with the cases referred to us. If their number shot up so quickly that we could no longer handle them effectively, I'd ask for an extension and I'd be surprised if our request was denied.