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— The complex genesis of the new French Protection of Rights Body (le Défenseur des droits) — The new French Protection of Rights Body, le Défenseur des droits, was not created from scratch by the writers of the Constitution. It resulted from a process that was much more complex than initially expected. On the one hand, it has been brought into existence by the combined efforts of many players (experts, governments, Parliament), each one playing a role in the shaping of the final product. But, on the other hand, it has also lead to much tension and debate preventing the much awaited consensus on a constitution-based body for protecting rights and freedoms.