Discrimination in the Name of Neutrality

Headscarf Bans for Teachers and Civil Servants in Germany

I. Executive Summary

Methodology

Key Recommendations

II. Background

III. Germany's Human Rights Obligations

Gender Equality

Nondiscrimination in Employment

Freedom of Religion

Right to a Private Life

Minority Rights

The European Court of Human Rights and the Headscarf

IV. State Bans on Religious Symbols in Public Employment

Bans Exempting Christian Symbols and Clothing

Bans without Explicit Exceptions for Christian Symbols

States without Bans

V. Impact of the Ban on Teachers and Civil Servants

VI. Human Rights Violations

Gender Discrimination and Other Violations of Women's Rights

Discrimination on the Grounds of Religion

Denial of the Right to Religious Freedom..

Minority Rights

VII. The Way Forward

Expanded Recommendations

To the State (Land) governments in Germany

To the Federal Government of Germany

To the European Union

To the Council of Europe

To the United Nations

Acknowledgments