DDHK News, France - A French court has fined a Muslim woman, Cassandra Belin (20 yrs) for wearing the veil in public, totaling 150 euros (US $ 200). Belin stated that the ban on the veil in his country is unconstitutional.
As the French news agency reported, AFP, Belin was also found guilty of insulting and threatening three police officers during his arrest in the city of Trappes, near Paris, in July, 8. For threats to police, he was sentenced to one month probation in prison..
Belin's lawyer, Philippe Bataille, argues that the ban on the veil hinders religious freedom and is unfair because it targets Muslims. Lawyers ask for an emergency ruling on the constitutional council before the sentence is enforced. But the request was rejected on the grounds that the Constitutional Council had previously enforced the rule in 2011.
Bataille said he would consider the appeal and vowed to continue fighting to reverse the ban.
The European Court of Human Rights is expected to hold a hearing later this year on a case brought by a French Muslim who argues that the veil ban violates her rights to freedom of religion, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, as well as violates prohibitions against discrimination.
France argues a ban on the veil is necessary for security reasons and to uphold the country's secular traditions. (mel / freepressjournal.com / localhost / project / personal / ddhongkong.org / ddhongkong.org). *
