EU state institutions can prohibit employees from wearing religious symbols – a court decision
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The EU Court has ruled that public institutions in all EU countries can prohibit employees from wearing religious symbols, including hijabs.
This was reported by The Guardian with reference to the resolution.
Such a decision was argued by the need to create an “absolutely neutral administrative environment”.
However, the court noted that prohibitions on clothing or symbols associated with philosophical or religious beliefs should apply to everyone equally.
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The EU Court called the ban on the wearing of religious symbols by employees of state institutions legitimate. Photo: Myvisuals/Depositphotos |
It all started with a situation that happened in Belgium with a Muslim woman. She was forbidden to wear a hijab at work, although her duties did not involve much contact with other people.
Shortly thereafter, the municipality introduced changes to working conditions. He demanded that all employees observe strict neutrality.
The employee filed a complaint with the local court. She noted that the ban is discriminatory and violates the right to freedom of religion.
The court said that openly demonstrating one’s religious beliefs is prohibited, but small and implicit details are allowed. In particular, it is about wearing earrings with a cross or holding Christmas parties.
The institution appealed to the EU court with a request to assess whether the neutrality rule is discriminatory. He ruled that it is an “objectively justified legitimate aim”.
At the same time, national courts have “freedom of discretion”, that is, they can decide for themselves how to balance individual rights and the neutrality of the public service.
It will be recalled that in French schools it was forbidden to wear Muslim abayas – traditional dresses with sleeves.
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