Civil society organisations call for urgent action over hijab ban in Tigray schools
Despite a court decision suspending the ban on January 14, the students have not been allowed to resume their education.
Civil society organisations in Tigray, a region in northern Ethiopia, are demanding immediate action to lift a hijab ban that has kept 159 Muslim students in Axum town out of school for nearly 100 days.
The six civil society organizations: Yehono, Gorzo, Rise and Shine, Hewyet, Umbrella for the Needy, and Nolawi are urging the Tigray Regional Education Bureau and local courts to enforce a ruling that would allow the students to return to school.
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Despite a court decision suspending the ban on January 14, the students have not been allowed to resume their education.
"Muslim female students have been excluded from education solely because of their hijab," the civil society groups said, adding that the ban has resulted in "missed learning opportunities" and "psychological distress and isolation."
Although the students were registered for national exams under external pressure, they remained barred from school.
The civil society organisations argue that the continued denial of education is a violation of the students' constitutional rights to both education and religious freedom, according to the Addis Standard.
In a statement, the organisations called for the immediate lifting of the ban, accountability for those responsible for the continued exclusion, and compensation for the students' lost educational time.
Muslim students in Axum, located in the Central Zone of Tigray, have been protesting the hijab ban, which they argue has violated their fundamental rights.
The case was brought to court by the Tigray Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, which contended that the ban infringes upon the students' constitutional rights. On January 14, the Axum District Court suspended the ban, warning of "irreversible rights violations" if it were upheld.
However, despite the court's ruling, schools continued to deny the students entry, leading to protests and demonstrations by thousands in Romanat Square, Mekelle on January 21.
The protest, organised by the Tigray Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, was held under the slogan "She will learn while wearing her hijab" and demanded that schools respect both the court rulings and the cultural rights of the students.
Sheikh Adam Abdulkadir, the President of the Tigray Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, expressed his frustration, stating, "Despite clear rulings from the court and directives from the education bureau, our daughters are still being denied access to education. This is deeply concerning in a region where Islam has been part of the culture for centuries."
The Axum District Court responded by issuing a warrant for the detention of school officials accused of defying the court's decision on January 27. The court stated that these actions "undermine the court's authority."
The civil society organisations emphasized that "legal rulings without implementation are meaningless" and stressed that they cannot remain silent while hundreds of female students are denied their right to education.
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