François Zimeray

François Zimeray is a lawyer, politician and diplomat. Born on 4 July 1961, he was a Member of the European Parliament for the Party of European Socialists from 1999 to 2004. Former mayor of Petit-Quevilly, he served as President of the Greater Rouen - Normandy area from 2001 to 2008.

He was appointed on 13 February 2008 as French Ambassador-at-large for Human Rights by Nicolas Sarkozy and Bernard Kouchner. In 2013, he was appointed as France's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark by President Hollande and Minister Laurent Fabius. He survived the Copenhagen terror attack on February 14, 2015.

On October 8, 2013, François Zimeray presented his credentials to the Queen of Denmark. On February 14, 2015, following the Paris terrorist attacks, Zimeray was invited to give the keynote speech at Krudttønden in Copenhagen, a debate on freedom of expression and blasphemy, featuring Lars Vilks and Femen leader Inna Chevtchenko, when it was attacked by a masked gunman. One participant was killed during the gunfire, others were wounded, Zimeray was uninjured.

As France's Ambassador-at-large for Human Rights since February 2008, Zimeray has held a fundamental yet discreet role aiming at spreading the culture of human rights into the French diplomacy. He has been the first non-career diplomat to hold this position since its creation in 2000 and has also had the longest assignment so far.

Recognized for his commitment and technical expertise in human rights, Zimeray has worked with four different Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Secretary of State: Bernard Kouchner, Michèle Alliot-Marie, Alain Juppé and Rama Yade. He was chosen to present France’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council in 2008 and 2012, as well as to represent France to the Alliance of Civilizations and Durban II Conference.

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