# Duty of vigilance and Human Rights
Two NGOs bring Carrefour to court for “failing in its duty of vigilance” in the tuna sector
In a joint press release published on 17 March 2025, the environmental NGOs Bloom and Foodwatch announced that they had summoned the Carrefour group to court for “failing to exercise due diligence in its tuna supply chain”. This legal action is based on a report by the NGO Bloom, which accuses Carrefour of failing to prohibit certain fishing practices and selling tuna contaminated with mercury. Carrefour has responded by rejecting these allegations and asserting its commitment to sustainable fishing practices. > Read the article
# White collar crime
NGOs file suit accusing billionaire Vincent Bolloré of being at heart of African “system of corruption”
On 18 March 2025, eleven NGOs advocating for transparency in Africa filed a complaint with the French National Financial Prosecutor’s Office against Bolloré SE, its owner Vincent Bolloré, and its CEO Cyrille Bolloré for alleged offenses of concealment and money laundering. The complaint concerns the conditions under which concessions were awarded in several African countries, benefiting Bolloré Group’s former subsidiary, Africa Logistics. It is based, in particular, on the company’s acknowledgment of corruption as part of a judicial public interest agreement signed on 9 February 2021. The NGOs are also calling for the restitution of the funds received to the affected populations, invoking the principle of “reversed ill-gotten gains”. > Read the article
Searches at Christian Estrosi’s homes and at Nice town hall in connection with Richard Orlinski’s ‘gifts
On 18 March 2025, several searches were carried out at the premises of Richard Orlinski’s companies, at Nice City Hall, at the headquarters of the Nice metropolitan authority and at Christian Estrosi’s homes in Paris and Nice. These operations are part of a preliminary investigation launched by the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office and entrusted to the Central Office for the Fight against Corruption and Financial and Tax Offences. The investigation concerns acts of corruption and favouritism linked, among other things, to an exhibition of works by Richard Orlinski in Nice in 2023 and to revelations in the press about gifts given by the artist to Christian Estrosi. > Read the article
TotalEnergies accused of involuntary manslaughter in Mozambique jihadist attack
The Nanterre judicial court has opened an investigation against TotalEnergies for involuntary manslaughter and failure to provide assistance, following a complaint lodged by survivors and relatives of the victims of the jihadist attack in Palma, Mozambique, in March 2021. The plaintiffs accuse the group of failing to ensure the safety of subcontractors working on the Mozambique LNG project. In a statement, TotalEnergies denied the allegations and said that Mozambique LNG had provided emergency assistance to evacuate many people from the Afungi site. > Read the article
# Dispute resolution & regulatory investigations
The right to remain silent before independent authorities in the balance at the French Constitutional Council
On 21 March 2025, the French Constitutional Council will rule on a “question prioritaire de constitutionnalité” (QPC) submitted by the “Association des avocats pénalistes” (AAP) concerning the right to remain silent before the French Financial Market Authority (AMF). This QPC questions the compatibility of the current rules with constitutional principles, in particular the right not to incriminate oneself. The Conseil will therefore have to strike a balance between the AMF’s investigative powers and respect for the fundamental rights of individuals. Its decision could have a significant impact on proceedings before independent administrative authorities. > Read the article
