UN Human Rights CouncilAppointed experts criticized the French football and basketball federations’ decision to exclude headscarved players from competitions, including at amateur level, and the French Government’s decision to prevent headscarved French athletes from representing the country at last summer’s Paris Olympic Games.

Breach

Experts argue that these measures violate individuals’ rights to express their religion, identity and beliefs, as well as their right to participate in cultural life.

Experts argued that France’s policies on the headscarf contravene its self-declared accession commitments and fail to meet the criteria for legitimate restrictions on human rights under international law.

“The neutrality and secular nature of the state are not legitimate grounds for restricting the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief. “Any limitation on these freedoms must be necessary and proportionate to achieve one of the aims set out in international law,” he said, adding: they should never be based on “assumptions, assumptions or prejudices.”

Risks of stigma

Experts also expressed concern about the recent decision by the Conseil d’État, France’s highest administrative court, to support the football association’s ban on headscarves, as well as a proposed Senate bill aimed at further restricting the use of headscarves in public.

Independent experts, who are not salaried, are not UN staff and do not represent any government, warned that the bill portrays the hijab as a potential threat to public order and that such actions are likely to reinforce harmful stereotypes and stigmatize Muslim women and girls.

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

Human rights experts have officially contacted the French Government regarding this situation. report It was presented at the UN General Assembly by the UN Special Rapporteur on cultural rights.