Bill 21: A Gap between the principle of secularism (laïcité) and its practical application, according to the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse
While the Commission is in favour of enshrining the secular nature of the State (laïcité) in a law, as proposed in Bill 21, it expresses serious concerns about the way in which secularism (laïcité) is translated into practice. It recommends that several sections of the bill not be adopted, including those dealing with the wearing of religious symbols, which may infringe human rights and freedoms and encourage negative perceptions and prejudices against religious symbols among some people.
Québec, May 7, 2019 – While the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse is in favour of enshrining the secular nature of the State (laïcité) in a law, as proposed in Bill 21, it expresses serious concerns about the way in which secularism is translated into practice. It recommends that several sections of the bill not be adopted, including those dealing with the wearing of religious symbols, which may infringe human rights and freedoms and encourage negative perceptions and prejudices against religious symbols among some people.
News release (in French only)
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