Airport and Religious Symbols
At the airport, I am asked to remove my headscarf for a security check at the security gate, in the presence of all travelers. Do they have the right to do this? NO Systematic removal when the security gate does not sound an alarm is illegal. The obligation of neutrality applies only to public service […]
Direct Discrimination
What is discrimination? The general normative framework for discrimination is set by Article 1 of Law No. 2008-496 of May 27, 2008, on various provisions for adaptation to Community law in the field of anti-discrimination (amended by Law No. 2017-256 of February 28, 2017). The definition is detailed in the Penal Code, in Articles 225-1 […]
Driving School and Driver’s License
At the driving school or on the day of the driver’s license test, the instructor/examiner asks me to remove my headscarf. Is this allowed? NO Religious freedom can only be restricted, in a proportionate manner, for legitimate reasons such as safety. In this case, wearing a headscarf does not pose a safety risk. The law […]
File a Complaint
What is Filing a Complaint? Filing a complaint allows a victim to inform the justice system that an offense has been committed. The facts in question must be criminalized by a text that provides for a criminal penalty. Filing a complaint is therefore unnecessary when disputes are purely civil or administrative. If the victim does […]
Absences on Religious Holidays – Eid
Can you be absent on Eid day as a civil servant, private sector employee, or public school student? What are your rights? What does the law say? 1/ You are a civil servant: If you are a civil servant or similar, Circular No. MFPF1202144C of February 10, 2012, regarding leave of absence that may be […]
School Cafeteria and Meat Consumption
At the beginning of the school year, we receive many reports concerning the pressure that would be exerted on children to force them to consume meat, sometimes pork, which is served to them in the school cafeteria. The arguments presented to justify this constraint are: Nutritional balance; Taste; Secularism. The parents who contact us are […]
Training Centers and Religious Symbols
Sarah wishes to undertake professional training at a training organization. Her application was accepted, but when she arrives at the reception, she is approached by the director who informs her that she cannot join the training while wearing a headscarf. The director cites the internal regulations which include the following statement: ‘in application of the […]
The Rights Defender
What is the Rights Defender? The Rights Defender is an independent state institution created in 2011 and enshrined in the Constitution: ‘The Rights Defender ensures respect for rights and freedoms’ (Art. 71-1 of the Constitution). The Rights Defender was born from the merger of four institutions: the Ombudsman of the Republic, the Children’s Defender, the […]
Sports and Religious Symbols
Sarah chose to enroll in the boxing class offered by her university, but when she showed up for the class, the sports instructor refused her entry because she was wearing a headscarf. He justified this by citing the principle of secularism. As for Ines, she was denied entry to her gym because of her headscarf. […]
Refusal of care by a doctor
Sirine goes to a doctor after obtaining an appointment. Once at the office, the secretary asks her to take a seat, but when it’s her turn, the doctor refuses to examine her if she doesn’t remove her headscarf, stating that his office is secular. Sirine leaves the office wondering how she could have reacted. What […]