A Sikh man ordered to remove his turban for an ID photo for his residency permit in France has won an appeal before the UN Human Rights Committee to be able to keep his headdress, reports The Times of India in the report below.
"The UN Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) has asked France to submit a report by March 15 on measures it is planning to take against violation of religious freedom of 76-year-old Ranjit Singh, who was asked to remove his turban for an ID photo" announced Mejinderpal Kaur, legal director of Sikh NGO United Sikh, on Thursday.
Following the observation of the UNHRC, the Sikhs had won the turban case against France at the UN, Mejinderpal Kaur added.
Quoting the media conference held in Bobigny, near Paris, by the United Sikhs legal team that had filed a communication in December 2008 on beahlf of Ranjit Singh, she said the UNHRC had concluded that France had violated the religous freedom of Ranjit Singh.
The committee observed that France had failed to explain how the turban hindered identification since the wearer's face would be visible and he would be wearing the turban at all times, she said.
She also conveyed the reaction of Ranjit Singh, who said "I had faith that truth and justice would prevail and I patiently waited for this day. I pray that France will now fulfil its obligation and grant me a residence card bearing my photo without baring my head."
Mejinderpal Kaur said that they were happy with the Committee's observations that France was under obligation to provide Ranjit Singh with an effective remedy, including a reconsideration of his application for renewal of residence permit and a review of the relevant legislative framework and its application in practice.
Read more of this report from The Times of India.