Rights group challenges abaya ban in schools at France's supreme court

PARIS

A rights watchdog in France has challenged the government's abaya dress ban in schools at the Council of State, the country’s highest court, a lawyer said.

Vincent Brengarth, the lawyer for the Muslim Rights Action (ADM), said on X late Friday that they filed an appeal with the Council of State to seek the suspension of the ban on the abaya, a loose-fitting, full-length robe worn by some Muslim students, at school, which he said violates "several fundamental freedoms."

Brengarth, with his colleague William Bourdon, applied to the court on the behalf of the rights group, he said.

The move came after French Education Minister Gabriel Attal last week announced that students wearing the traditional overgarments will not be able to attend classes when the new school year starts on Monday.

"They (students) will be welcomed to the school and there will be a discussion to explain to them the point of the rule, why this decision was taken, and why they cannot wear abaya or qamis at school," said Attal.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday vowed that the government will be uncompromising on the overgarment ban in schools.

He backed Attal's stance, saying: "We will be uncompromising on this topic. ... We will take actions beyond words."

The controversial move sparked backlash towards the government which has been criticized for targeting Muslims with statements and policies in recent years including raids on mosques and charitable foundations, and an "anti-separatism" law that slaps wide-ranging restrictions on the community.

*Nur Asena Erturk in Ankara contributed to this report