UN official slams French ban on Muslim headscarf [View All]

A United Nations human rights official Monday criticised new French legislation banning religious headscarves in schools, saying the rule could foster discrimination against Muslims.

"The dominant perception ... is that behind the general ban on religious signs in state schools, it is Islam that is being targeted," said Doudou Diene, a special UN rapporteur on racism and xenophia.

The French parliament has passed a law to come into effect in September prohibiting conspicuous religious symbols in the classroom, including Islamic headscarves, Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses.

A report by Diene on the situation of Muslims around the world was submitted Monday to the UN Human Rights Commissioner.

"The stigmatisation of Islam, at least in public debate, contains ... a serious risk of fostering and giving legitimacy to hatred of Islam and discrimination against Muslims," he said.

http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=58&story_id=5898