This interview is copyright-free for publication by your media.

René Cassin competition: Paris II team wins 20th edition

Two French teams met in the final of the René Cassin Human Rights Competition. They were neck-and-neck after the hearings – the jury was out for over an hour – but the students from Paris eventually prevailed over the rival team from Limoges. A meeting with three very happy young women, Caroline Gaudefroy, Gaelle Meric and Alexandra Boudet.

Interview (19.04.2004)

Question: This year’s practical case concerned the protection of contestants in TV reality shows. What gave you the inspiration to plead your case before the European Court of Human Rights?

Caroline Gaudefroy: First, and this is very important, we were the plaintiffs. It is easier to defend the contestants than the production companies who make the programmes. And it is very hard to get away from reality shows nowadays, in France or in Europe. They are everywhere and we are the players.

Initially, I admit, it is hard to think of “Loft Story” or “Temptation Island” in terms of human rights. When you think about it, though, the contestants give up their rights, their dignity, even if they do so willingly, in so far as they sign a contract. But that is no excuse for producers and television channels to take advantage of the situation.

Question: What do you think made your arguments stand out among those of the 57 teams competing?

Gaelle Meric: It’s hard to say, especially as our opponents in the final, the team from Limoges, argued their case very well. We were convinced they would win! Once again, I think the fact that we were the plaintiffs helped: it’s more credible, less perverse somehow, to defend the contestants, the underdogs. We did our best to concentrate on both the substance and the form, and dramatise our case without losing sight of the technical side – all the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights.
We spent long hours and many a sleepless night preparing for the competition. We had a marvellous coach to guide us: Jenny Monnin, who was one of the contestants in last year’s René Cassin competition for Paris II University. Her experience was a great help. Jenny knew how to motivate us and keep us in line when we needed it. And she was so enthusiastic; she kept saying: “It’s a fantastic competition!” And she was right!

Question: What is at stake in the René Cassin competition? What is in it for the first prize winners?

Gaelle Meric: Winning first prize is not the be-all and end-all. Whether you win or not, every team that takes part in the competition is in for a very rewarding experience. It’s a great learning experience that gives us an opportunity to work on a real case and see something other than the theory we learn in our books. And if you do make it through to the final, you get a chance to plead in THE European Court of Human Rights: the chamber we see pictures of in our law books, the courtroom we hear so much about all through our studies. It really is an incredible experience, both daunting and thrilling!

There was a great atmosphere too. Twenty-one nationalities were represented. It’s an extraordinary cultural experience. For four days you are completely stressed out, yet we would have loved it to have lasted even longer!

Question: What are your plans now the pressure of the competition is off?

Alexandra Boudet: To swot up for our exams! We have barely a week to get ready. At least the week we have just been through has used up pour quota of stress! We’ll be going back to being ordinary students again and looking forward to 2005, when we will be back for a training course at the European Court of Human Rights.