EVERY CHILD MUST BE ABLE TO LIVE FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 16th Jun 2008

Euro MEP for the North East Fiona Hall, has signed a nation-wide petition supporting Sarika Singh from South Wales, who has been excluded from school since November 2007 for refusing to stop wearing a religious bangle.

The 14 year old girl, from Aberdare Girl's School in South Wales, wears the Kara, a steel bracelet and Sikh article of faith, in contravention of the school's uniform policy.

The petition, to be handed to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street, contains a number of signatures from Gurdwaras, Sikh organisations, non-Sikh organisations, MPs and other elected representatives and calls for the Prime Minister to intervene in the case to show that discrimination is totally unacceptable in the UK today. The case will be heard in the High Court from 17-19th June.

Supporting Sarika on this issue Fiona said: "Every child should be able to live free from discrimination.

"This young girl has done nothing wrong except display a religious symbol that is obviously important to her.

"She has not been disruptive or abusive, yet has received the same treatment as many of her peers who have caused constant trouble in the schooling system.

"She should be allowed to continue with her education, and get on with her life."