A graduate in political science (Sciences Po), Cécile Riou-Batista specialized in political sociology and began her career as a research assistant at the Center d’études de la vie politique française (Cevipof). She joined the CNCDH in 2006, first as project manager "racism and discrimination" and project manager at the Francophone Association of National Human Rights Commissions (AFCNDH and at the French Institute of Rights and Freedoms (IIFDL) She then became adviser "society issues, ethics and human rights education" and coordinator "fight against trafficking in human beings".
Ms. Riou-Batista has been Deputy Secretary General of the CNCDH since October 2016.