Human rights advocates are sounding alarms over a proposed French bill that aims to prohibit ‘ostensibly religious’ attire in all sports events. Amnesty International decries this initiative for violating human rights, particularly impacting Muslim women and girls who may wish to wear the hijab during competition. Set to be debated in the French Senate, the measure would broaden existing limitations across all sports federations and leagues.
According to Amnesty, this legislation masks systemic bias under the banner of secularism, effectively alienating Muslim women and girls from athletic participation. Notably, this move aligns with previous efforts to bar headscarves for athletes at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, igniting significant international backlash. Critics highlight that severely restricting religious headgear lacks any credible justification and infringes on the freedoms of Muslim athletes.
A detailed Amnesty report from 2024 outlines ongoing discrimination against Muslim women in France, noting how laws affecting religious attire in various contexts – such as schools and workplaces – further entrench social exclusion. The organisation maintains that extending such restrictions to sports solely heightens marginalisation and contradicts international human rights standards. The latest legislative proposal is seen as a reinforcement of this troubling pattern.
Amnesty International strongly urges French lawmakers to abandon the bill, asserting it perpetuates discrimination and undermines the ideals of inclusivity in sports. In October 2024, the UN condemned France’s hijab bans as ‘disproportionate and discriminatory,’ calling for their repeal. Despite mounting criticisms, French authorities are intent on broadening these limitations through the proposed legislation, which also includes banning prayers in sports venues and instituting thorough investigations of sports educators before granting professional credentials.
Human rights advocates oppose a French bill that seeks to ban religious attire, notably the hijab, in sports. Amnesty International warns it violates rights and disproportionately affects Muslim women. The bill extends existing restrictions and is part of systemic discrimination amid previous UN condemnations. Advocates urge lawmakers to reject the legislation to uphold inclusivity and equality in sports.
The proposed hijab ban in French sports, as criticised by Amnesty International, raises significant human rights concerns, particularly for Muslim women and girls. The legislation appears to follow a broader trend of systemic discrimination, undermining inclusion and equality in sports. Calls for rejection of the bill emphasize the need for policies that support rather than marginalise, highlighting the importance of preserving individual rights in the sporting arena.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
