Wednesday, April 25, 2012

WESTERN NEWS

Amnesty says Muslims in Europe face discrimination

In this photo taken on July 24, 2010, a Muslim woman wearing a niqab is seen with children at Place Concorde in Paris, France.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

PARIS: Amnesty International says in a new report that Muslims in several European countries face discrimination in hiring and daily life because of rules targeting their customs.

The report pays special attention to national laws or local rules against wearing headscarves or face-covering Islamic veils in countries such as France and Belgium.

The human rights group spoke to Muslims who have had trouble getting jobs or had to change schools because of discrimination.

It notes the rise in political movements that target Muslims or Muslim practices.

The report comes after far right leader Marine Le Pen scored a surprisingly strong third-place showing in France’s presidential elections. Her anti-immigrant platform singled out Muslim practices for criticism.

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