Abstract
The wish to achieve “neutrality” or portray an “image of neutrality” to customers
is an increasingly common justification used by employers to introduce religious
dress restrictions, which has also been recognised by the Court of Justice of the
European Union. This briefing paper aims to support Muslim women,
campaigners, litigators, and other stakeholders challenging discriminatory and
exclusionary religious dress bans by deconstructing the concept of neutrality and
analysing its treatment by various courts as well as its use in public and political
discourse. The paper presents avenues for reclaiming neutrality to achieve
equality and freedom, and for further legal action. It includes a legal Annex and is
complemented by a separate factsheet.
is an increasingly common justification used by employers to introduce religious
dress restrictions, which has also been recognised by the Court of Justice of the
European Union. This briefing paper aims to support Muslim women,
campaigners, litigators, and other stakeholders challenging discriminatory and
exclusionary religious dress bans by deconstructing the concept of neutrality and
analysing its treatment by various courts as well as its use in public and political
discourse. The paper presents avenues for reclaiming neutrality to achieve
equality and freedom, and for further legal action. It includes a legal Annex and is
complemented by a separate factsheet.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Open Society Foundations |
| Commissioning body | Open Society Foundation |
| Number of pages | 47 |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2022 |
