Overview

The debate on multiculturalism and human rights in Europe was reignited in 2004 by the Islamic headscarf ban in France. The legal and political tensions thrown up by this debate are now being witnessed in many European states. The place of religion in schools in general, and wearing of religious dress in State schools in particular, has become an issue across Europe. Supporters of the right to wear the Islamic headscarf argue that the ban and similar prohibitions infringe a number of human rights. This book examines the issues by considering questions of language, meaning and symbolism. In doing so it identifies the debates behind the debates. Detailed consideration is given to the headscarf debate in France. Comparative practice in a number of European states - Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Turkey - is examined. Brief consideration is also given to a number of non-European states. The book also outlines the role and function of an international human rights law approach to the Islamic headscarf. It concludes with some wider reflections on the broader political and cultural struggles that lie behind the Islamic headscarf debate. This wider frame of analysis reveals the deeper significance of the Islamic headscarf bans.

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9781841136523

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Reviews

...an interesting and timely text...an excellent reference point for anyone interested in the issue, as it draws on an impressive variety of sources...the book's encyclopaedic breadth is remarkable and will be of much appeal to legal academics and practitioners alike. Anastasia Vakulenko Scolag Legal Journal, Issue 350 Dec 06 Dominic McGoldrick, while justifiably devoting substantial space to France, which has experienced the greatest problems, breaks new ground not only by providing an eminently useful European survey of the subject but also encompassing aspiring European Union member Turkey and several non-European states besides...the book is packed with interesting material clearly presented for the lay reader. The author brings to bear a degree of linguistic and legal precision often lacking from the participants' arguments. Malcolm Crook Times Higher Education Supplement March 2007 This book offers a luminous and sober analysis, based on applicable principles of international human rights law. The Commonwealth Lawyer Vol. 16, No. 2, August 2007 Pulling together so much information from so many different jurisdictions was no doubt a huge task and one for which McGoldrick is to be commended...McGoldrick demonstrates that this is a fascinating subject for a perfectly rational religious, political and legal debate. Jago Russell European Human Rights Law Review 2007, 5

The study us well written, superbly researched, timely, hugely informative, accessible and interesting.Urfan KhaliqInternational Journal on Minority and Group RightsVolume 15, 2008an interesting and timely textan excellent reference point for anyone interested in the issue, as it draws on an impressive variety of sourcesthe book's encyclopaedic breadth is remarkable and will be of much appeal to legal academics and practitioners alike.Anastasia VakulenkoScolag Legal Journal, Issue 350Dec 06Dominic McGoldrick, while justifiably devoting substantial space to France, which has experienced the greatest problems, breaks new ground not only by providing an eminently useful European survey of the subject but also encompassing aspiring European Union member Turkey and several non-European states besidesthe book is packed with interesting material clearly presented for the lay reader. The author brings to bear a degree of linguistic and legal precision often lacking from the participants' arguments.Malcolm CrookTimes Higher Education SupplementMarch 2007This book offers a luminous and sober analysis, based on applicable principles of international human rights law.The Commonwealth LawyerVol. 16, No. 2, August 2007Pulling together so much information from so many different jurisdictions was no doubt a huge task and one for which McGoldrick is to be commendedMcGoldrick demonstrates that this is a fascinating subject for a perfectly rational religious, political and legal debate.Jago RussellEuropean Human Rights Law Review2007, 5

Author Information

Dominic McGoldrick is Professor of Public International Law and Director of the International and European Law Unit, Liverpool Law School, University of Liverpool.

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