France: Hijab ban throughout sports activities, ‘discriminatory and must be reversed’ say specialists | EUROtoday

Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.

The UN Human Rights Council-appointed specialists criticised the choice by the French soccer and basketball federations to exclude gamers sporting the hijab from competitions, together with at beginner degree, and the French Government’s choice to stop French athletes sporting the hijab from representing the nation eventually summer time’s Paris Olympic Games.

Infringement

These measures, the specialists argue, infringe on people’ rights to specific their faith, identification, and beliefs, in addition to their proper to take part in cultural life.

France’s insurance policies on the hijab run counter to its personal declared commitments to inclusion and fail to fulfill the factors for reputable limitations on human rights below worldwide regulation, the specialists contended.

The neutrality and secular nature of the State are not legitimate grounds for imposing restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief. Any limitations of these freedoms must be proportionate, necessary to reach one of the objectives stated in international law” the specialists mentioned, including that they need to by no means be primarily based on “presumptions, assumptions or prejudices.”

Risks of stigmatisation

The specialists additionally raised considerations over a latest choice by the Conseil d’État, France’s highest administrative courtroom, to uphold the soccer federation’s hijab ban, in addition to a proposed Senate invoice aimed toward additional limiting hijab use in public.

The unbiased specialists – who obtain no wage, usually are not UN workers and don’t signify any authorities – warned that the invoice presents the hijab as a possible risk to public order and such actions are more likely to reinforce dangerous stereotypes and stigmatise Muslim ladies and women.

“In a context of intolerance and strong stigmatisation of women and girls who choose to wear the hijab, France must take all measures at its disposal to protect them, to safeguard their rights, and to promote equality and mutual respect for cultural diversity,” they concluded.

The human rights specialists have formally communicated with the Government of France about this example, which was additionally raised within the report introduced on the UN General Assembly by the UN Special Rapporteur within the subject of cultural rights.

https://news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2024/10/1156226