German Court Upholds Headscarf Ban for Judicial Applicants

German Court Upholds Headscarf Ban for Judicial Applicants
………….

A court in the German state of Hesse has ruled that a Muslim lawyer who refuses to remove her headscarf during court proceedings cannot serve as a judge or prosecutor, Daily Sabah reported.

The administrative court in Darmstadt upheld the state’s decision to deny her application, noting that while her religious freedom holds significant constitutional weight, it is outweighed by the principles of state neutrality and the rights of trial participants to an impartial environment.

According to the ruling, the applicant had made clear during her interview that she would not remove her headscarf while interacting with those involved in court proceedings. Authorities argued that visible religious symbols worn by judicial officials could undermine public confidence in judicial neutrality.

A similar decision was issued in October by the Higher Regional Court in Braunschweig, which confirmed that state law in Lower Saxony bars both professional and lay judges from displaying religious, political, or ideological symbols. Critics say these rulings disproportionately affect Muslim women and hinder equal access to public service.