German Greens push to abolish neutrality act, allowing headscarves for civil servants Greens in Berlin push to abolish the neutrality law, claiming it discriminates against Muslim women wearing headscarves and hampers their careers in public service.

(Euronews) The Greens party’s group in the Berlin House of Representatives has made a motion calling for the abolition of the so-called Neutrality Act, a law that prohibits civil servants from visibly wearing or displaying religious symbols while at work.

The 2005 law, which affects teachers, police and judicial officers, among others, has already been brought to court several times.

Since then, there have been further complaints, particularly in connection with the wearing of headscarves by Muslim civil servants. The law also bans Jewish men from wearing a [yarmulke], yet allows the wearing of crucifixes.

Supporters of the law, however, argue that the act does not target a particular group and is solely concerned with separating public office from religion or ideology and keeping it secular.

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