German court rules against headscarf curbs for law students
International - POSTED: 2016/06/30 15:59
International - POSTED: 2016/06/30 15:59
A court in Bavaria has ruled against restrictions on wearing headscarves for law students who are undergoing practical training in the justice system in the German state.
The Augsburg administrative court upheld a complaint by a 25-year-old Muslim student who was told that, under Bavaria's 8-year-old rules, she wasn't allowed to wear a headscarf when doing work that involves public appearances — for example, in a courtroom.
It found Thursday there was no legal basis for such an intrusion into freedom of religion and education, news agency dpa reported.
State Justice Minister Winfried Bausback said the regional government will appeal. He said all participants in legal proceedings must be able to trust in the independence and neutrality of judges and prosecutors, and that confidence must not be "shaken by appearances."