Sikhs Claim religious discrimination in France may swing it for London 2012

Tuesday 5 July 2005

On the eve of the critical vote in Singapore to decide the host city for the 2012 Summer Olympics the Sikh Federation (UK), has suggested that the laws and practices in France, which discriminate against those that wish to freely practice their faith may lead to the downfall of the Paris bid.

The Sikh Federation (UK), the first and only Sikh political party in the UK, which lobby's on Sikh issues in the UK and abroad, believes London will be the natural beneficiary from any IOC members that listen to its concerns. Bhai Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Federation said: "We have been writing to all IOC Members encouraging them not to support the Paris bid. Sikh children in French public schools are being denied the right to wear the turban. It is inconceivable that such a prestigious international event as the Olympics could be hosted in a country where the laws are infringing the basic human right of religious freedom."

"The French law not only deprives Sikh children the right to education while at the same time practising their faith, but also impacts on Sikh public employees. In France, Sikhs with turbans are also being denied IDs wearing their turbans, they are unable to take up "public sector" jobs, such as, lecture at university or become police officers, teachers etc. The law in France prevents Sikhs in the EU from freely working there and is a clear breach of one of the fundamentals of the 1957 Treaty of Rome that established the freedom of movement of labour."

The Federation has been specifically targeting around 45 of the 115 voting IOC members who are from countries where religion is of paramount importance. A Federation spokesman said: "We have been particularly interested in putting our concerns to IOC members from what may be termed "Roman Catholic" or "Islamic" countries. Whilst there is a complex inter-play of issues that will affect how each IOC member votes, we are of the view that some will be influenced by what we have had to say. It could easily be the case that one or two votes will make all the difference."

"One of the IOC members, Randhir Singh, is a Sikh who wears a turban and is well aware of our campaign. We have pointed out that freedom of religious _expression is a fundamental human right enshrined in international law that should not be ignored when making the final decision. Randhir Singh knows of the importance of the Sikh identity and the outward expressions of individual faith is one of the most basic and precious freedoms for a Sikh. We hope he will use his influence so France is sent a clear message that it must get rid of its discriminatory laws before it is worthy of holding the Olympics."

Federation spokesman added: "Despite the relatively small size of the worldwide Sikh community and our limited resources we have been taking the lead in challenging the law in France using more imaginative methods. Our strategy to overturn the French ban has many angles, political and diplomatic pressure, legal action and other forms of direct action."