District Court ruling indirect discrimination to forbid head scarves during exercise at a sport club

Alert DateOctober 5, 2010 Country: Sweden Address: Malmö General Type: Discrimination Racism and discrimination phenomena: Islamophobia, Religious intolerance
Groups affected / Interested in: Muslims Key socio-economic/institutional areas: Sport, Daily life, Religion Hate speech/Racist Discourse Medium: Other

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Victims Data
Victims Nationality/Ethnic Origin N/A
Victims Gender Female
Victims Age 26-35, 36-45
Victims Number 1
Fatalities - deaths N/A
Perpetrators Data
Perpetrators Nationality/Ethnic Origin Swedish
Perpetrator Gender Male, Female
Perpetrator Age 26-35, 36-45
Perpetrators Number N/A
Extremist/Organised Group Violence No

 


A Muslim woman was refused to exercise aerobics because she wore a headscarf. The District Court ruled that this is a case of discrimination on the grounds of religious belief. The sports club is obliged to pay 5000 SEK (500 Euros) in compensation to the woman. The District Court argued that people who due to their religious beliefs are forced to take off their headscarves are disadvantaged by the sports clubs rules and that this is a case of indirect discrimination.    Following discussions with the Equality Ombudsman, the sports club has changed its rules and headscarves  are now permitted during exercise at the clubs facilities.
 

Source: Equality Ombudsman OMED 2006/519, http://www.do.se/sv/Press/Pressmeddelanden/Forbud-att-trana-i-huvudduk-var-diskriminering/