21 March 2017

Scottish Government has no plans to introduce hijab ban legislation

The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a ban on hijabs or other veils, ministers have said.

Equalities Secretary Angela Constance said while the government respects the European Court of Justice ruling making it legal for firms to ban workers for wearing the religious headscarf, there are no proposals for it to become law in Scotland.

Speaking in Edinburgh at an event to mark a year since the launch of the Race Equality Framework for Scotland, she said: "Everyone has the right to live their lives free from racism and prejudice.

"So while the Scottish Government respects the European Court of Justice ruling that companies can ban employees from wearing the Islamic headscarf, we regard the matter of wearing the hijab, or any other veil, as a matter of individual conscience and choice.

"I am happy to confirm that we have no plans to introduce any legislation which will have the effect of restricting the wearing of the hijab or any other veil." [Herald Scotland] Read more