France’s Senate votes to ban hijab in sports, sparking global backlash

Proposed law ignites debate on secularism, discrimination, and inclusion in French sports

PARIS, France (MNTV) — France’s Senate has voted 210 to 81 in favour of banning religious symbols, including the hijab, in national and regional sports competitions, escalating tensions over the country’s strict secularism policies.

The bill, backed by right-wing parties, must now pass the lower-house National Assembly to become law.

While France already prohibits religious attire in public institutions, including schools and government offices, some sports federations—such as football and basketball—have preemptively enforced their own bans.

The proposed law, however, would extend restrictions nationwide.

Analysts argue the move was discriminatory.

Socialist senator Patrick Kanner accused proponents of using France’s secular principles to perpetuate “anti-Muslim rhetoric” and foster stereotypes. 

Mathilde Ollivier of the Greens party argued the bill unfairly targets Muslim women and risks excluding them from sports entirely.

Amnesty International has denounced the proposal, calling it a violation of fundamental rights, while UN experts criticized existing sports bans, including those affecting the upcoming Paris Olympics, as “discriminatory and disproportionate.”

The debate underscores France’s ongoing struggle to balance its secular traditions with growing concerns over religious freedom and social cohesion.