Human rights lobby Haki Africa has expressed its shock and disappointment over Supreme Court decision on Hijabs in school.
Haki Africa Executive director Hussein Khalid said that the Thursday ruling by the Supreme Court that overturned the court of appeal ruling on Muslim students to wear hijab in school was a violation of human rights.
In a statement to newsrooms, Khalid said that though the ruling did not automatically outlaw hijabs it gave schools particularly private schools the discretion to decide whether to allow hijabs ‘Female Muslim head gear’ in schools or not.
According to Khalid, the ruling may also force the Akorinos and Singhs not to wear their head gears while in such schools.
“We believe the courts are vanguards of human rights and should protect them in both public and private institutions,” he added.
He reiterated that allowing rights to be violated is unconstitutional and goes against international human rights standards.
“We therefore call for sober public debate on this particular issue with the goal of ensuring human rights, particularly the freedom of religion and belief is exercised to the fullest,” noted Mr. Khalid.
He said the human rights organisation will push for equality of all persons before the law and full adherence to the Bill of Rights in the Constitution.
The Methodist church through its board of trustees sued in 2016 barring female Muslim students to wear hijabs in its schools.
It listed Mohammed Fugicha a parent, the Teachers Service Commission TSC, Isiolo County director of education and the Isiolo Sub-county Education officer as the main respondents in the case.
