Las restricciones al velo islámico: neutralidad estatal y derechos humanos.

Abstract

Abstract. In the last years the Islamic veil has been the object of intense debate, especially in some European countries. Religious neutrality or the lay State, religious freedom in its positive and negative facets and the principle of tolerance, among others are tightly interwoven in this debate. Within that context, on the basis of national court rulings and decisions of international human rights organizations, this work attempts to reflect the main legal aspects related to the restrictions imposed on the use of the Islamic veil in public educational institutions. Furthermore, this paper draws the fundamental guidelines for a critical examination of the topic from the human rights perspective, particularly religious freedom and the principle of tolerance.