French Senate Backs Sports Headscarf Ban Bill

The French Senate has backed a bill to ban religious symbols, including headscarves, in all sports competitions, both professional and amateur, in line with the country's secularism principles. The bill, supported by right-wing senators and the right-wing Republicans, aims to prohibit 'ostensibly religious' attire, sparking significant criticism from Amnesty International and rights advocates who deem it discriminatory. While some sports like soccer and rugby already ban headscarves, the proposed legislation seeks to extend this across all sports. The government supports the bill as a measure against separatism, but its passage remains uncertain as it requires approval from the lower-house National Assembly, which is deeply divided. The debate reignites discussions on secularism, with Amnesty International urging lawmakers to reject the bill, highlighting prior incidents like French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla's initial ban at the Paris Olympics due to her hijab.