La jurisprudence concernant la religion et l’école

Over the past few years, the Federal Court has taken several decisions following complaints related to religion and schools. In conformity with the principle of the State’s religious neutrality, schools no longer have the right to display crosses in their classrooms. This is to protect school children from the State’s influence on religious issues. Let us keep in mind that the age of religious majority is 16 years. In the same vein, the Federal Court banned a Muslim teacher from wearing the veil within the school’s premises (in Geneva). When the complaints concerned the students, the Federal Court ruled in favour of the students or parents. For instance, a female student in the Canton of Zurich obtained the right not to participate in swimming classes. Students are also accorded waivers not to attend school in order to participate in religious festivals.