France violated Sikh’s right to wear turban says UN
(Nvonews.com)
In an important victory for the Sikh community in France, the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) has ruled that France has violated the right of a Sikh who had been asked to remove his turban for a photo ID card.
Ranjit Singh, a 76 year old Sikh living in France has not had access to public healthcare any other social benefits since 2005 as he refused to take off his turban for the photo ID card. United Sikhs, a Sikh rights group had filed a communication with the UNHRC on behalf of Ranjit Singh in December 2008.
The UN body has found that France violated Ranjit Singh’s right to wear a turban in accordance to his religion. UNHRC observed in its judgment: “Even if the obligation to remove the turban for the identity photograph might be described as a one-time requirement, it would potentially interfere with the author’s (Ranjit Singh’s) freedom of religion on a continuing basis because he would always appear without his religious head covering in the identity photograph and could therefore be compelled to remove his turban during identity checks.”
The regulation, the United Sikhs said was in violation of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which grants precisely such freedom. The Covenant has been in force in France since 1981.
United Sikhs Director Majinderpal Kaur said that Franc had an obligation to provide Ranjit Singh with immediate redress, and to reconsider his application for identification which had been refused over the turban issue.
The UN committee said France failed to explain how the turban hindered identification since the wearer’s face would be visible even if he was wearing the turban at all times.
Ranjit Singh said he had faith that truth and justice would prevail. “I patiently waited for this day. I pray that France will now fulfil its obligation and grant me a residence card bearing my photo without baring my head,” he said.
Kaur said France should now fulfil its moral duty “to ensure that the freedom of religion and belief is upheld for everyone who lives within its territory”.
The judgment in of concern to the Muslims also as the regulation was designed to stop the use of hijab, the headdress worn by Muslim women, in public faces. It was only to give the law a more general character that other religious communities were included in its ambit. Just as the turban does not impede identification, so does the hijab leave the face uncovered.
Shortlink:
Posted by
Socialize