ABSTRACT
In the previous chapters we examined bans on the wearing of religious symbols in education from a number of different perspectives. Before we did this, we discussed defi nitions of religion and belief, religious manifestations, religious discrimination and religious symbols and analysed the arguments brought forward both for and against bans on the wearing of religious symbols. We then examined such bans as, respectively, a violation of human rights law and a breach of anti-discrimination legislation. This analysis showed that the concept of justifi cation plays a main role in determining whether such bans are a violation of either human rights or anti-discrimination law, so this concept was examined in depth. We also considered the question what a legal duty of reasonable accommodation or a (public sector) equality duty in relation to religion and belief could mean for these bans.
