Several sections of France’s new immigration law are now in force, including the new ‘contract to respect the values of the republic’.

This requirement, which is now in effect, will apply to most foreigners in France – from students and workers to those with the ‘visitor status’. There are very few exemptions. 

READ MORE: French immigration law: New carte de séjour rules now in force

On a practical level, the contract is just another piece of paper that you need to sign when you’re applying for or renewing a residency card – and refusing to do so means that your permit will not be granted.

The law is largely intended to target foreigners who have become radicalised – such as radical Islamists – and those who represent a serious threat to public safety, but the requirement covers anyone who needs a carte de séjour residency card (with the exception of those few exempt groups listed here).

But what are you actually agreeing to?

The contents of the contract are meant to focus on respect for “personal freedom, freedom of expression and conscience, equality between women and men, the dignity of the human person and the motto and symbols of the Republic as defined in article 2 of the Constitution”.

Below is the full text (in French) and you can also download it here;

The first segment reads (in English):

“France has welcomed me onto its soil. As part of my application for the issue or renewal of a residence document, I solemnly undertake to respect the principles of the French Republic defined below.

“I undertake to respect personal freedom, freedom of expression and conscience, equality between men and women and human dignity, the motto and symbols of the Republic within the meaning of Article 2 of the Constitution, the integrity of French borders, and not to to use my beliefs or convictions as an excuse to disregard the common rules governing relations between the public services and private individuals.”

Then come seven ‘engagements’ that the person signing the contract would agree to, including things like promising to not discriminate based on sex, to respect people equally regardless of their sexual orientation, as well as to respect symbols of France including the national anthem and the flag.

READ MORE: La Marseillaise: All you need to know about the French national anthem

The seven engagements

Commitment no. 1: Respect for personal freedom

• I promise to respect every individual’s private life and the privacy of their home and communications.
• I promise to respect each person’s freedom to come and go and not to hinder in any way their ability to communicate with others.
• I promise to respect each person’s freedom to choose their spouse.

Commitment no. 2: Respect for freedom of expression and conscience

• I promise to refrain from any act of proselytising performed under duress, threat or pressure, with the aim of making another person adhere to my values, principles, opinions or convictions, my religion or my beliefs.
• I promise not to obstruct, by coercion, threat or pressure, any person’s expression of their values, principles, opinions or convictions, religion or beliefs.

Commitment no. 3: Respect for equality between women and men

• I promise not to adopt any sexist attitude and therefore not to discriminate against anyone on the grounds of sex.
• In any public office, I promise not to disrupt the running of the service and to behave in the same way towards public servants, whether they are men or women.

Commitment no. 4: Respect for human dignity

• I promise to respect the laws and regulations in force designed to protect the health and physical and mental well-being of every person.
• I promise to respect the equal dignity of all human beings, without discrimination of any kind, whether that be based on their origins, their opinions or religion, and to respect the sexual orientation of each person.
• I promise not to create, maintain or exploit the psychological or physical vulnerability of another person, regardless of my relationship to that person.
• I promise not to undertake any action likely to compromise the physical, emotional, intellectual and social development of minors, or their health and safety.

Commitment no. 5: Respect for the motto and symbols of the Republic

• I promise to respect the motto of the Republic, which is “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity”.
• I promise not to publicly insult the national anthem, the “Marseillaise”, or the national emblem: the tricolour flag.
• I promise not to provoke such reprehensible acts.

Commitment no. 6: Respect for the territorial integrity of France

• I promise that I will not challenge – by actions likely to disturb public order, by inciting such actions or by participating in foreign interference – the authenticity of France’s borders and the sovereignty it exercises over its territory, both in mainland France and overseas.

Commitment no. 7: Respect for the principle of secularism

• Within public buildings and offices, I promise not to challenge the legitimacy of a public official or demand that the operation of a public service or public facility be adapted on the basis of my own religious beliefs or considerations.