Name
Post
Government Department
Address
Dear Mr. ___:
Re: Religious Discrimination at Work
Date
In the last three weeks, I have experienced several instances where I was discriminated against because of my religion.
On Tuesday, January 19, at approximately 3:15pm, Mr. Boris Müller, the factory manager, with whom I had previously enjoyed a friendly relationship, unexpectedly made a highly derogatory remark about [name of religion] in my presence.* The incident took place in the canteen during the afternoon break.
I do not know what prompted the remark as our conversation had been about other matters and we have never discussed religion. The remark, intended to refer to all members of my religion, was inaccurate and offensive.
I immediately told Mr. Müller so and pointed out that he probably would not like me to make a similar remark about his religion. He replied that he could not care since he does not belong to any religion. I responded that I respected his right to hold those views, and that he should respect my beliefs too. He simply ended the conversation at that point and walked abruptly away. He has refused since to discuss the matter, hardly talks to me unless he has to and is now channelling work which formerly came to me to other workers. This affects my income and ability to support my family since I am paid on an exchange-for-work basis.
I am writing to you for assistance. Religious discrimination in the workplace is not only illegal under the country’s Constitution, but under the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights and the Helsinki Accords. Article 18 of the Covenant guarantees the right to freedom of religion. Article 20 prohibits incitement of hatred against another or others because of their religion, race or nationality. The Helsinki Accords hold that “participating States will recognise and respect the freedom of the individual to profess and practise, alone or in community with others, religion or belief acting in accordance with the dictates of his own conscience.”
This country has ratified both these Treaties. As a branch of local government, your Department in the person of Mr. Müller is bound to uphold them. Currently this is not the case, and I am losing work owing solely to my religious affiliation.
I am bringing this up to you because I refuse to tolerate being discriminated against. Mr. Müller may privately hold whatever views he wishes about my religious beliefs, but he has no right to deny me work based on those views – in fact, it is illegal for him to do so.
I look forward to hearing from you and trust you will be able to settle this matter rapidly so that the work I formerly performed is once more given to me. Should you wish to meet with Mr. Müller and I together, I will be glad to do so as I want to see this conflict resolved.
Sincerely,
Franz Schmidt * At this point, you should include what the actual remark or incident was, as near as you can recall it. Otherwise the discrimination may not be evident and can be challenged.
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