The United Nations (UN) has expressed disapproval and objection to French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent decision to ban French athletes from wearing hijabs and other religious apparel during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
In a statement issued by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, emphasized the fundamental principle of non-discrimination and respect for religious beliefs in sports.
“Competition[s] and considered as an opportunity to demonstrate shared social values and promote global understanding, rather than a tool to discourage or restrain people’s fundamental rights based on discriminatory beliefs,” she said.
The French President’s decision, raised controversy among human rights activists worldwide and has been branded as a ‘contradiction’ to the Olympic Games’ core value of fostering a ‘spirit of friendly competition’.
Political organizations and institutions like the UN have been at the forefront of advocating for religious freedom and are strongly standing against such practices.
“Religious freedom is a fundamental human right, whether an individual practices or not. Restricting its free expression would be a violation of international law,” the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said.
Such laws are not only a means to defend the right to religious expression but also for an even and fair competition in sports.
In addition, the human rights institution is not in favour of such policies that drive wedges between people of different faiths, and thus fuelling future tensions among religions.
President Macron’s decision has been seen as contrary to the philosophy of the International Olympic Committee, which firmly states that ‘every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind’, and is calling for freedom of religion and expression.
As a result, the UN High Commissioner has implored the French government to reconsider its decision and reminded it that it must exercise its power wisely and with reverence to human rights and international conventions.
In conclusion, it is clear that the UN take a firm stand on religious freedom. The organization will continue to fight any threat to individual’s right to express themselves freely and to practice any religion of their choice.
