Burqa row returns after housing ban
Anti-discrimination group cries foul as family refused social housing because mother wore Islamic dress
AN ANTI-discrimination group has said a housing body’s refusal to lodge a family because the mother wore a burqa is clear discrimination.
According to newspaper le Canard Enchaîné the husband, wife and three children were refused access to social housing by the housing association at Vénissieux because the mother “wears the burqa, which characterises a religious practice incompatible with the essential values of the French community and the principals of equality between the sexes.”
The reason was made in a letter outlining the decision to the local prefecture.
It reflects a ruling by the Conseil d’Etat which in July 2008 refused French nationality to a Moroccan woman who wore a burqa.
STORY: Veiled woman fails in citizenship bid
A legal advisor at the anti-discrimination body La Halde – the Haute autorité de lutte contre les discriminations told the website 20 Minutes that the case was the legal definition of discrimination.
The law defines discrimination as the “less favourable treatment of one person compared to another in a similar situation because of reasons banned by the law.”
Among the banned reasons include religious practice, physical appearance, racial origin, political opinions and sexual orientation.
However, La Halde can only pursue the case if the victim files a complaint with them and the organisation has yet to be contacted.
If an investigation confirms a case of discrimination La Halde can propose solutions and eventually sanctions.
According to le Canard Enchaîné the family is still without a home and continue to move between friends and relatives.
The newspaper said the demand was the third unsuccessful attempt they had made to get access to social housing.
“Mehdi is French and wearing the burqa does not yet prevent access to housing,” said a commentary in the satirical newspaper.
Photo:Yanboechat
