Amnesty International has condemned France’s ban on hijabs in sports, including the upcoming Olympic Games, as a violation of human rights and discriminatory double standards. The ban affects Muslim women athletes, excluding them from participating in sports they love.
The report “We can’t breathe anymore. Even sports, we can’t do them anymore” highlights the devastating impact of hijab bans on Muslim women and girls in French sports. Amnesty International’s Women’s Rights Researcher, Anna Błuś, stated that “discriminatory rules policing what women wear are a violation of Muslim women’s and girls’ human rights and have a devastating impact on their participation in sport.”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been criticized for its dismissive response to the issue, claiming that France’s prohibition on sports hijabs is outside the remit of the Olympic movement. However, France’s bans on sports headgear contradict international sports bodies’ rules and are the only such bans in 38 European countries.
Muslim women athletes have expressed their frustration and sadness, with one athlete, Hélène Bâ, stating that the Olympics hijab ban “is a clear violation of the Olympic charter, values, and provisions, and an infringement on our fundamental rights and freedoms.”
Amnesty International is calling on French authorities, sports federations, and the IOC to overturn all bans on athletes wearing hijabs in French sport, ensuring that Muslim women and girls can participate in sports without discrimination.
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