European Court of Justice Allows Government to Ban Employees from Wearing Religious Symbols

JAKARTA - The European Union's highest court has allowed government offices throughout the European Union to prohibit employees from wearing anything that shows philosophical or religious beliefs, including the hijab, in order to  create a neutral work environment.

The ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union issued  Tuesday emphasizes the importance of the fair implementation of the ruling, in accordance with the national law of each member state.

"Such a decision is not discriminatory if it is applied broadly and indiscriminately to all government staff and is limited to matters that are truly necessary," said the court as reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Wednesday, November 29.

Each member state and infra-state body is free to  determine how to promote the neutrality of the public service in the workplace, depending on its respective context, the court continued.

"Nevertheless, these objectives must be achieved in a consistent and systematic manner, and the steps taken to achieve them must be limited to what is truly necessary. It is up to the courts of each country to ensure that these requirements are met," the court said it again.

The ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union came after an incident in the eastern Belgian municipality of Ans, when a Muslim employee was prohibited from wearing a hijab at work.

The employee then filed a lawsuit in a local court, saying the ban was  discriminatory and made him fear his right to religious freedom had been violated.

The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that openly displaying one's beliefs or religion is prohibited.

However, the plaintiff provided a number of photos showing that invisible symbols of faith were still tolerated.

He questioned the court's ruling and said the restrictions should be applied  indiscriminately.