A Positive Step For Our “Independence”
It was reported this week that a Court in Belgium has overturned a ban that had been established for five Sikh students wearing Patkas. This case began in May 2005, when these Sikh students were banned from attending KTA Domein Speelhof school in Belgium due to the implementation of a new uniform rule banning head coverings.
The court said that the ban on the religious head covering was a violation of the Sikh students’ right to manifest their religion under article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, of which Belgium is a signatory.
In a judgment handed down today, Judge Madam H. Coenen said that by excluding young people because of their religious beliefs the Domein Speelhof school in St Truiden had violated their right to practice their faith.
United Sikhs took up this case and are applauded for their great work.
The news comes at a time when our community is faced with many cases of injustice for practicing our faith as Sikhs. This is a positive step and shows that the fight for our rights as Sikhs is not a lost battle. It will take time, but we are progressing toward educating people who we are as a community. There are many more cases to be fought, but we will persevere.
2 Responses to “A Positive Step For Our “Independence””
if the court grounded its decision in the European Convention on Human Rights, to which it was a signatory, surely France is a signatory as well and may be bound to the same articles…
interesting. someone write a law review note.
if the court grounded its decision in the European Convention on Human Rights, to which it was a signatory, surely France is a signatory as well and may be bound to the same articles…
interesting. someone write a law review note.