UN Criticizes France's Treatment of Muslim Women Wearing Hijabs

A United Nations body has criticized France's ban on its female athletes wearing hijabs during next year's Summer Olympics. In response to a question about the decision to prohibit French female athletes from wearing hijabs at the Paris Olympics, a spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office stated, "No one should impose on women what they need to wear or not wear." The spokesperson, Marta Hurtado, added, "According to international human rights standards, restrictions on the expression of religions or beliefs, such as clothing choices, are only acceptable under genuinely specific circumstances that address legitimate concerns related to public safety, public order, health, or morals in a necessary and proportional manner." These comments came days after French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra announced that French female athletes would be banned from wearing hijabs during the Paris Games as part of upholding the principles of secularism. Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to August 11 of next year.