Eldritch
04-30-2010, 08:24 AM
Belgium outlaws wearing burqa in public
Veils prevent wearer from being identified
Belgian lawmakers voted overwhelmingly yesterday to ban the wearing of the Islamic burqa in public, paving the way for the first clampdown of its kind in Europe.
In the lower house of federal parliament, 136 deputies voted to ban clothes or veils that do not allow the wearer to be fully identified, including the full-face niqab and burqa.
There were two abstentions. No one voted against. The upper house of parliament has two weeks to raise any objections to the decision.
The ban will be imposed in streets, public gardens and sports grounds or buildings "meant for public use or to provide services" to the public, according to the text of the bill.
Exceptions could be allowed for certain festivities like carnivals if municipal authorities decide to grant them.
People who ignore the new law could face a fine of 15 to 25 euros and/or a jail sentence of up to seven days, unless they have police permission to wear the garments.
[I assume that this means the small minority of Muslim women who dress in garbage sacks will be issued these permist more or less automatically?]
All governing parties and the opposition agreed on the move - most on the basis that people cannot be recognized wearing the clothing.
The ban comes amid controversy in the kingdom over the wearing of Muslim religious symbols in public places.
Link. (http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Belgium+outlaws+wearing+burqa+public/2968759/story.html)
Veils prevent wearer from being identified
Belgian lawmakers voted overwhelmingly yesterday to ban the wearing of the Islamic burqa in public, paving the way for the first clampdown of its kind in Europe.
In the lower house of federal parliament, 136 deputies voted to ban clothes or veils that do not allow the wearer to be fully identified, including the full-face niqab and burqa.
There were two abstentions. No one voted against. The upper house of parliament has two weeks to raise any objections to the decision.
The ban will be imposed in streets, public gardens and sports grounds or buildings "meant for public use or to provide services" to the public, according to the text of the bill.
Exceptions could be allowed for certain festivities like carnivals if municipal authorities decide to grant them.
People who ignore the new law could face a fine of 15 to 25 euros and/or a jail sentence of up to seven days, unless they have police permission to wear the garments.
[I assume that this means the small minority of Muslim women who dress in garbage sacks will be issued these permist more or less automatically?]
All governing parties and the opposition agreed on the move - most on the basis that people cannot be recognized wearing the clothing.
The ban comes amid controversy in the kingdom over the wearing of Muslim religious symbols in public places.
Link. (http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Belgium+outlaws+wearing+burqa+public/2968759/story.html)