From Spain to Sweden: European countries do not agree to religious symbols in public positions
propagandaIn the heart of the German capital, there was a hot political debate about The boundaries of religious freedom In the public domain. Bundestag Green Party Group presented A proposal to cancel the Berlin neutral law (‘Neutralitätsgesetz’), a law prohibiting public employees, including teachers, police and judicial staff, carrying visible religious symbols during service.
The proposal suggested to Berlin In a broader European discussion about the intersection between secularism, religious freedom and neutrality at the workplace. Throughout the continent, the various legal and cultural approaches show its absence ConsensusIn particular, Islamic scarcity and exit must be allowed in state institutions.
In the divided EuropeNational identities, historical experiences and political priorities deeply affect societies’ response to religious expression in public life.
From the general prohibitions of Belgium and France to More positions lenient from Sweden and SpainThe treatment of this issue on the continent is still a study. While some countries have chosen neutrality, others give priority to inclusion, and many fight to find a balance between them.
Spain: Legal Silence, local discretionary authority
Spain lacks national legislation on this topic, Leave the decisions to obtain the discretionary authority Schools and institutions. In 2013, the Supreme Court supported a decision a Madrid Institute to exclude the student His hiyab was sitting precedent but not a rule.
Although Islamic groups confirmed this The Spanish constitution and the 1992 Cooperation Agreement They jointly protect the right to bring religious uniforms. The Ministry of Education has not given priority to the national trend, on the pretext that these cases are rare and and can be controlled at the local level.
France: secular as a state doctrine
France applies one of the most solid interpretations of secularism On the continent. All public sector workers, from officials to colleagues, must refrain from expressing religious, philosophical or political beliefs clearly. This strict neutrality is not just a policyBut the column of the French Republic, is designed to maintain a neutral public field.
Belgium: Security and cohesion above vision
Belgium has planted some of the most strict measures From Europe in terms of covering your face. In 2011, the second country after France became prohibiting the integrated veil in public places, and justification Measuring the reasons for public security and social integration.
Although only a small number of women in Belgium use Niqab or Burka, European Court of Human Rights The embargo in 2017 confirmed, a ruling that it was compatible with wider principles of gender equality and public order.
Portugal: legal neutrality, selective application
Portugal does not explicitly prohibit religious symbols, but allow institutions, public and private, The application of neutral clothing symbolsProvided that it is applied uniformly. The goal is to protect employees from religious pressure, at the same time ensuring ideological neutrality of workplaces.
Austria: the expansion of the ban
Austria followed its example of the law of 2017 prohibiting its face in public places, Including the Islamic veil And any element that hides facial features, Like helmets and masks. The government claimed public safety and social cohesion.
Although a proposal arose to expand the ban imposed on girls In schools, the Constitutional Court canceled part of this legislation in 2020, saying that the ban on the veil of girls under the age of 10 was discriminatory.
Denmark: The complete ban on covering the face
Denmark A complete ban on covering the face in all public places was issued In 2018, the law, which prohibits any dress that hides the face, including Burkas and Niqabs, was justified mainly by the causes of general identity and social transparency.
Netherlands: Partial restrictions in the main institutions
In the Netherlands, Law 2019 It restricts the use of clothes that hide the face in a certain way General environments, such as schools and hospitals and Public transportationAs clear communication and identification identification are necessary. Although it is not a complete ban, it reflects an increasing tendency towards organizing religious expression in the state’s areas.
Italy: Another era law
Italy does not have a specific ban for religious clothes, however The Anti -Terrorism Law of 1975 prohibits the coverage of the face in public places. Although it was originally associated with religious clothes, this law was sometimes called to restrict Niqab and Burka in general or sensitive environments From the point of view of security.
propagandaSweden: Freedom above all, local resistance
Sweden does not prohibit religious clothes at the country levelIt is still allowed in public life. The national approach prefers individual rightsAlthough some municipalities have attempted to impose specific restrictions on schools, which demands gender integration and equality. These measures sparked a discussion, but it has not yet changed national policy.
Greece: legal protection with practical limits
Greek legislation offers Solid protection against discrimination For religious reasons at work and public services. However, this practice was sometimes more complicated.
In the case of 2022, uThe hospital banned the nursing student to wear a handkerchief In the head during their practices, demanding regulations on the uniform. The defender of the Greek people eliminated that politics was not The anti -discrimination laws violatedAnd weakened it on the issue of the code of clothes, not religious.
Bulgaria: banning exceptions
Bulgaria presented a national embargo to cover the face in public places in 2016, claiming security And social cohesion. Although the law allows exclusions for the reasons for health or work, it reflects wider efforts to regulate the visual expressions of Islamic faith. HIYAB, who leaves his face open, is still used by Muslim women throughout the country.
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