Bonjour,
At the outset, I want to thank this Assembly that allows me to share the perspective of the
promotion and protection of the identity of religious minorities. International Center for Advocates
Against Discrimination (ICAAD) is a non-profit organization that works to empower marginalized
communities globally to address structural discrimination in their legal systems using an
interdisciplinary approach combining law, technology, and art. We focus on three program areas:
minority rights, women's rights, and religious freedom.
Religious identity of minority communities has been under severe threat from Western democracies
over the last decade. Legislation that reflects majoritarian ideals and prejudices towards minority
communities have become embedded in legislation. Since 9/11, Muslims, Arabs, Sikhs, and South
Asians have been victims of attacks and aggression solely because of our appearance. Following
these events, these communities have taken tremendous steps to raise awareness generally in
society to reduce prejudices and discuss the value of pluralism while working training law
enforcement to better serve and protect these vulnerable populations. A holistic approach is
necessary to disseminate and break down the barriers of prejudice within a society.
Nevertheless, the identity of religious minorities is still in danger due to certain laws and policies.
One example is the existing legislation in France that purports to uphold the principle of Laicité. In
principle, Laicité must allow the right to worship one’s faith freely in society, otherwise, the
separation between religion and state becomes blurred and the state becomes irreparably entangled
in religious practice. Laws that exclude manifesting one’s belief in public schools (law of 15 March
2004), ID cards( Reglement ID picture of 2005 of Home Ministry and in public (2011 ban on veil)
Despite successive decisions of the UN Human Rights Committee 1852/2008, 1876/2009 and
1928/2010, which has found France in violation of Article 18 of the International Protocol on Civil
and Political Rights (ICCPR), the UN Human Rights Committee has been unable to move France in
amending its legislation.
Nonetheless, I also want to emphasize the potential for positive outcomes. Currently, the Central
Bureau of Religious Affairs, affiliated to the Ministry of the Interior, which is the main contact
between religious groups and the French administration, this type of authority is an excellent tool
and means by which various religious minorities can exchange and share their difficulties with the
administration. And finally, from one of the positive practices within the European Union , I would
like to acknowledge the work with the authorities in charge of security and transport to the
European Union which led to the change of regulation 185/2010 and 2010/774/EU on the control of
passengers at European airports, so it is no longer allowed to touch the dastaar (turban) of a Sikh,
hijab of a Muslim, or a Kippah of a Jew. This helps to maintain the dignity and inviolability of
one’s religious identity.
Ranjit G. SINGH, Associate Advisor at International Center For Advocates Against Discrimination