Call for Overturn of Hijab Ban on French Female Athletes Ahead of Paris 2024
Human rights and sports organizations are urging the French government to lift its ban on French female athletes wearing the hijab at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This call comes despite the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) announcement last September allowing the hijab. French Minister of Sports, Amelie O'Dea Castera, maintains the ban in line with the country's stance on the strict separation of church and state. However, 11 organizations, including Amnesty International, have emphasized that the ban contradicts the Olympic Charter and exacerbates discrimination against Muslim female athletes.
In a letter to IOC President Thomas Bach, Amnesty International and other organizations stressed the detrimental impact of the ban on Muslim female athletes. They argued that the prohibition undermines the IOC’s commitment to gender equality at the Paris Games, marking it as the first Olympics to feature an equal number of male and female participants. "The ban constitutes discrimination and perpetuates stereotypes, fueling hatred against Muslims," said French basketball player Hélène Ba, founder of the Basketball for All organization. Ba and others have pointed out that Muslim athletes have been forced to leave France to continue their athletic careers in more inclusive environments.
Further underscoring the issue, Human Rights Watch Director of Global Initiatives, Minky Worden, explained that even if the ban were lifted now, it would be too late. Many athletes have already been excluded from the necessary training and qualification events. "Women and girls have already missed critical competitive opportunities, making it impossible for them to compete in this year's Games, especially with just 45 days to go," Worden stated. The immediate effects of this ban have tarnished the spirit of the Paris Olympics, intended to symbolize gender equality and inclusivity.
- Youth in Paris have been mobilizing against the far right following the National Rally's success in the recent European elections. Student unions and youth organizations called for a rally at Place de la République, advocating for solidarity against far-right ideologies. The protests represent a broader resistance movement against the rise of extremist politics in France.
- These youth-led rallies have proliferated across major French cities, including Marseille, Nantes, and Saint-Étienne. Prominent youth and labor organizations have expressed their intentions to continue mobilizing efforts against both the National Rally and the policies of President Emmanuel Macron.
- Aya, a student at Henri IV high school in Paris, highlighted the importance of youth voices in the political landscape. "It is crucial for us to show that we oppose not only the National Rally but also policies that threaten our rights and freedoms," she stated, emphasizing the need for cohesive action among young people.
