The <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/un" target="_blank">UN</a> human rights office has criticised <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/france/" target="_blank">France's</a> ban on its athletes wearing the hijab at next year's summer <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/olympics/" target="_blank">Olympics</a> in Paris. "No one should impose on a woman what she needs to wear or not wear," said Marta Hurtado, spokeswoman for the office. "According to international <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/human-rights/" target="_blank">human right</a> standards, restrictions of expressions of <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/religion/" target="_blank">religions</a> or beliefs such as attire choices are only acceptable under really specific circumstances that address legitimate concerns for public safety, public order or public health or morals, in a necessary and proportionate fashion." The comments come days after French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said French athletes would be barred from wearing a hijab during the <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/paris/" target="_blank">Paris</a> Games to respect principles of secularism. Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to August 11 next year.