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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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12 February 2009

Press Release: FRANCE / UK – New report ‘For Liberty: The Impact of the French Ban on the Islamic Headscarf and other Religious Symbols in Schools’

IHRC’s latest report, published today, looks at France and its legislation that largely affects Muslim girls and young women. It focuses on the effect of the ban on religious symbols in French schools, using accounts collected and previously published by the Comité 15 Mars et Libertés (March 15 freedom Committee) and what it means for women’s rights in general.

The report incorporates submissions and recommendations made by IHRC to the Committee against the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

IHRC Head of Research, Arzu Merali, stated:

‘The use of legislation to marginalise, primarily, young Muslim girls is appalling and only acts to further distance them by limiting their access to social spaces. The examples from Comité 15 Mars et Libertés only further highlight the psychological and emotional effects of the ban on these young girls. IHRC hopes that this report will effectively reflect the serious implications of such prejudices in society.’

To read this report, please visit:
https://www.ihrc.org.uk/file/FRANCEHijabBookv6.pdf

For more information, please contact IHRC on (+44) 20 8904 4222 or (+44) 7958 60 74 75 or email info@ihrc.org
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The Islamic Human Rights Commission is an NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183
Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org.uk