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NEWS RELEASE
From the office of the Green MEPs
August 31st, 2005
Photocall… Media Invitation… Photocall…
Media Invitation …
GREEN EURO-MP TO ADDRESS ‘PRO-HIJAB’ CONFERENCE
CAROLINE LUCAS TO ATTEND ‘HIJAB
UNVEILED – A DAY OF REFLECTION’
Event: Euro-MP Caroline Lucas to address ‘Hijab Unveiled’ conference
Place: Kensington Town Hall, Hornton St,
LONDON W8 7NX
Time: Saturday, September 3rd, 3.30pm (Conference runs 11am-4pm)
FRANCE’S ban on Muslim women and girls wearing the traditional ‘Hijab’
veil violates the human rights to free expression and freedom of
religion, Green Euro-MP Caroline Lucas will tell a London conference
on Saturday.
Speaking at the ‘Hijab Unveiled – A Day of Reflection’ conference
organised by the UK-based ‘Pro-Hijab’ campaign, Dr Lucas will call for
the EU to intervene to prevent the spread of the law and overturn the
breach of the European Convention on Human Rights, of which France is
a signatory.
The South-East England MEP will argue: “The Hijab ban is a direct
affront to Muslim communities. Women and girls who have freely chosen
to wear Hijab as an essential part of their Islamic beliefs and
lifestyle should not be forced to endure a directive likely to
heighten religious and ethnic discrimination.
“To ban ‘conspicuous religious symbols’ from public buildings is
knee-jerk reaction which panders to the racist right and will only
serve to increase tensions between Muslims and the state – exactly the
opposite of the law’s stated intention.”
Dr Lucas was one of five British and French MEPs who sponsored a
resolution in the European Parliament condemning the law earlier this
year. She has worked closely with UK campaigners since the ban came
into force nearly a year ago, and is due to speak alongside journalist
Yvonne Ridley and Mayor of London Ken Livingstone.
Other speakers include Raghad Altikriti and Anas Altikriti of the
Muslim Association of Britain, and the event also boasts performances
from Dawud Wharnsby, Ali Hassen Rasool and Mizan School.
ENDS
For more information please contact Ben on 01273 671946, 07973 823358
or
ben@greenmeps.org.uk
www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk
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