The
15 of March Committee and Liberties was organized in reference
to the French law of March 15, 2004, regarding “secularism
in public school buildings.”
The
committee is made of distinguished men and women who have
offered to help college and school girls that are potential
victims of any misinterpretation of the law of March 15, 2004.
The
purpose is to shed light on the provisions of the protection
of religious liberties and to inform them of the real impact
of this law and of their fundamental rights to an education
equivalent to their competence.
The
15 of March Committee will strive to furnish the girls and
their associates with the following:
The
15 of March Committee and Liberties
0800
15 03 04
Monday
– Friday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday
10
a.m. – 12 noon
(Call
collect from any phone booth in France.)
1503-Liberte@Wanadoo.fr |
|
A
hotline was created in order to give advice to young girls
wearing hijab, under the slogan “Call us, you are not
alone.”
The
committee is supported by the French League of Muslim Women
(LFFM), the Union of Islamic Organizations of France (UOIF),
and the Funds for the Legal Defense of Muslims (FDMJ). The
committee is open to all organizations or institutions sharing
their objectives.
Nora,
the telephone operator employed by the 15 of March Committee
to answer inquiries about the application of the new law, said
that most of the girls ask “What should I do with school
about to open?” or “Hello, good morning, can you help
me?” She explains to them that the committee is not going to
help them, but it will refer them to one of its
correspondents. The committee can, however, provide them with
all the information they need.
Since
the establishment of the hotline on August 23, its use has
been gradually increasing. The technical means are functioning
satisfactorily, and the calls are handled thanks to the work
team, which is being formed gradually.
