A few days ago, the European Court of Justice, the highest court in the European Union, ruled that employers are allowed to ban religious garments and jewelry in the workplace. This means employees can be fired simply for wearing a personal item that indicates their faith.
As Maryam H'madoun from the Open Society Justice Initiative says, "[This ruling] will lead to Muslim women being discriminated in the workplace, but also Jewish men who wear kippas, Sikh men who wear turbans, people who wear crosses. It affects all of them, but disproportionately Muslim women."
Why in the world would the European Court of Justice issue such a profoundly discriminatory ruling? Because apparently the court doesn’t think such a ban on religious symbols would violate the EU's anti-discrimination laws. If that is the case, then the European Parliament must pass stricter anti-discrimination laws now to demonstrate that it will not accept harassment against people of faith.
What this ruling is indirectly targeting is headscarves, which are worn by women of many different faiths. But this garment neither poses a security issue, nor represents a violent movement that should not be flaunted. It merely aims to maintain a certain respectability of the woman that wears it, nothing more and nothing less. This ruling is part of a disturbing trend to monitor and control women's bodies and clothing, especially Muslim women, and it is unacceptable.
No one has the right to take Human Rights away, and the freedom to have faith is a Human Right. Today the hijab, but what will be next?
Sign the petition to urge the European Parliament to strengthen its laws to prevent religious discrimination NOW!
Dear Mr. Tajani,
A few days ago, the European court of justice stated that garments can be banned as part of general policy covering religious and political symbols.
What you are indirectly targeting are headscarves, worn by women of many faiths. This garment neither poses a security issue nor represents a violent movement that should not be flaunted. It merely aims to maintain a certain respectability of the woman that wears it, nothing more and nothing less.
However, it is a symbol of faith, in the same way as a chain with a cross, a bracelet with Fatima's hand or a kippah. Would you ban those, too?
This is clearly an act of discrimination. And we are demanding that this discriminatory measure, as quickly as it was welcomed, be immediately removed, considered a grave error that has to be righted.
NO one has the right to take Human Rights away, and the freedom to have faith is a Human Right.
I call on you to end this discrimination NOW!
[Your comments]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
