An appeals court has ruled that a doctor’s request for a woman to remove her veil during a medical visit amounted to discrimination. Region Uppsala has been ordered to pay the woman 40 000 kronor in compensation. The incident occurred three years ago at a health centre in Uppsala.
The incident took place three years ago when a doctor asked the woman to remove her veil so that her entire skin could be examined. The doctor explained the request by saying it was necessary to see the whole patient. The woman reported the event as discrimination linked to her religion.
The Equality Ombudsman initially demanded 70 000 kronor in compensation from Region Uppsala. The district court rejected the claim, finding that the woman had suffered no harm beyond discomfort. The court of appeal has now overturned that ruling and determined that discrimination occurred.
Region Uppsala must therefore pay the woman 40 000 kronor. "We regard this as direct discrimination against this woman and that it was connected to her religion", said Sandra Danowsky of the Equality Ombudsman when the complaint was filed.
