France moves a step closer to barring burqa

Following recent European moves to ban Muslim practices, French lawmakers are seeking a ban on the burqa and other face-covering veils worn by some Muslim women.

After six months of fierce public debate, a parliamentary panel is expected to recommend on Tuesday a partial ban on the veil in public places such as schools and hospitals, but not in private buildings or on the street.

The ban could make it impossible for women who wear the burqa to receive any public services, from buying a bus ticket to picking up a child at school.

Some of the 32 members of the cross-party panel want to go even further with a law that might make wearing a full veil subject to a USD 1,000 fine.

Parliament is not required to act on the recommendation, and it may only result in a non-binding government resolution.

The commission's decision indicates that the lawmakers have heeded warnings that a full ban would possibly pose a threat to France's constitutionally-mandated secularism.

The panel's work began after President Nicolas Sarkozy said in June that the Muslim garment was "not welcome" on French territory.

France's recent move follows other European countries' ban on certain Muslim practices.

In November, 2009, Switzerland became the first European country to ban a Muslim practice when a double majority voted "yes" to a referendum seeking a ban on the construction of minarets - a distinct characteristic of Muslim places of worship — mosques.

Following French footsteps, the UK Independence Party (UKIP) has also sought a ban on burqas and other face-covering veils in Britain.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=117090§ionid=3510212.