A transcript is now available of the evidence given to the French equivalent of the House of Commons Defence Committee on 21 January, 2015 about the right of association for the military personnel of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. This follows the European Court of Human Rights rulings of 2 Oct 2014 against France, and the subsequent Pêcheur recommendation, accepted by President Hollande, that French military personnel should now be permitted the right of association. The Pêcheur report accurately described the independent BAFF as being "tolerated" by the Ministry of Defence.

The British Armed Forces Federation (BAFF) welcomes news that the army is exploring ways to recruit more Muslims. This will be an extension of well-established efforts to increase representation from minority British communities.

BAFF Chairman, Douglas Young, said that "This isn't, and mustn't ever become, about political correctness.

Following President Hollande's acceptance of the Pêcheur Report on the consequences of the ECHR judgements of 2 October, the French National Assembly's Defence Committee will be taking evidence on Wed 21 January from allied defence attachés, including a Captain RN from the United Kingdom, about freedom of association and the right to organise for military personnel. UPDATE: Video of attachés' hearing now available HERE. Video of Tuesday's hearing with Pêcheur Report author available HERE. Transcript of evidence by UK Naval Attaché now available HERE.

French soldiers' rights campaigners have welcomed President François Hollande's announcement that they will be allowed to form professional associations, following two rulings in October by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).