Response from Diana Wallis

Thank you for contacting me regarding the written declaration on religious rights and freedoms in France & throughout the EU.

I do not make a habit of signing written declarations as a matter of course; I believe it can sadly become an over used system. I have therefore given this issue a great deal of consideration.

My views on the right to freedom of religious expression are well documented, including assistance to a Muslim constituent who was treated disgracefully in a French hotel because of her mode of dress.

However I feel that the declaration, whilst it attempts to be general is basically aimed at the French government and the wearing of Hijab. Of course the French legislation properly covers all religious symbols indiscriminately, in addition most (although not all) of those who write to me refer to the woman's right to wear the hijab.

I fully support the right of women or others of full age to make an informed and personal choice about their mode of dress and their expression through that of their religious views. However I continue to have serious concerns that young people (i.e. of school age) may indeed sometimes be forced or pushed in a certain direction when perhaps exposure to a wider range of beliefs, views and customs might be more beneficial. It is here that I have some sympathy with what the French law is trying to achieve; whilst the reality maybe unacceptable.

Enquiries I have made indicate that teachers in some French schools are not strictly enforcing the law and are adopting a pragmatic approach. Of course this too is not ideal.

In conclusion I deplore the rise in religious intolerance across Europe however I am not convinced that either the declaration nor the French law assist. I can only undertake to continue to champion such freedoms as I have done in the past.

Regards,

Diana Wallis MEP

UNITED SIKHS' response back

Dear Diana Wallis MEP

Thank you for sharing your well-reasoned thoughts.UNITED SIKHS and our partners embarked on treating the WD as an opportunity to have a debate so that views such as yours could be heard more widely.

Whilst the wording of the WD may look restrictive, if the WD obtains 367 votes it could be tabled as a resolution in wider terms, so that there could be a debate on difference an diversity in Europe, with religious diversity being a case on point. Therefore the debate will not only be on French law, let alone only on the hijab.

You have raised concerns about the Hijab for which there is a need for a debate. Further, you made no mention of the Sikh Turban. For the record, more than 100 Sikh schoolchidren are affected by the law and a survey conducted by UNITED SIKHS shows that 87% of those interiewed were not allowed to wear their headcovering of their choice. No one was allowed to wear the Turban.

See report_on_affect_of_law_on_french_sikh_schoolchildren.doc

Hence your inquiries do not reflect the ground reality with Sikh schoolchildren. You also refer to fear that a young children may 'indeed sometimes be forced or pushed in a certain direction when perhaps exposure to a wider range of beliefs, views and customs might be more beneficial.' In the case of Sikh schoolchildren, the French government did not adduce any evidence and indeed there is no evidence that a Sikh child is forced to wear his Turban. Article 14 of the European Convention of Human Rights requires States not to practice discrimination. Consider the landmark case of Thlimmenos v Greece for the important principle that states must treat differently placed persons differently.

Now, this discussion and more needs to take place. Do you not agree that the august chamber for the House that you sit in, is the most appropriate venue, as it represents a large section of Europe.

We understand your reservation about signing WDs as the records show that most WDs do not result in debates. We would like to appeal to your campaigning zeal by saying that we have to believe that this WD will become a resolution because it relates to a very important issue - the rights of an individual.

It is for this reason that we would like to repeat UNITED SIKHS' request that you sign the WD as there is everyting to gain in having a debate and everything to lose by remaining silent.

Mejindarpal Kaur,
UNITED SIKHS