Amnesty International criticizes French hijab sports ban in anticipation of Olympics

Amnesty International accuses France of breaching human rights with Olympic headscarf ban

Title: Amnesty International Accuses France of Violating Human Rights with Olympic Headscarf Ban

Amnesty International has strongly condemned France for enforcing a ban on women wearing headscarves while competing at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, accusing the country of breaking international human rights law. In a scathing report released on Tuesday, Amnesty criticized the International Olympic Committee for not challenging France’s “discriminatory” law.

The report, authored by Anna Blus, Amnesty’s women’s rights researcher in Europe, highlighted the impact of the ban on Muslim women’s participation in sports and described it as a violation of their human rights. Blus emphasized that the ban contradicts the principles of inclusivity and accessibility in sports, and goes against the spirit of the so-called “Gender Equal Olympics” that Paris 2024 aims to be.

France’s enforcement of the ban on headscarves not only conflicts with international human rights laws but also contradicts the rules of major international sports bodies like FIFA and the International Basketball Federation. Athletes like basketball player Helene Ba expressed their frustration with the ban, calling it a violation of fundamental rights and freedoms.

The French ban on headscarves in sports has drawn criticism from various quarters, with Amnesty calling on French authorities, sports federations, and the IOC to overturn the discriminatory policy. Foune Diawara, co-president of the football collective Hijabeuses, emphasized that the fight is about the human right of Muslim women to participate in sports without facing religious or cultural discrimination.

Amnesty’s press release pointed to the long-standing campaign in France targeting Muslim women’s attire, fueled by prejudice and Islamophobia. The organization urged policymakers to respect women’s choices and called for the immediate lifting of all bans on athletes wearing the hijab in French sports, at all levels.

As the controversy continues to brew ahead of the Paris Olympics, the spotlight remains on France’s discriminatory policies and the need for a more inclusive and respectful approach towards athletes of all backgrounds.

Scroll to Top