Dutch cabinet approves partial Islamic veil ban

[Morphine Prince 109,769]

 

The Dutch cabinet on Friday approved a partial ban on wearing the face-covering Islamic veil, including in schools, hospitals and on public transport.

"Face-covering clothing will in future not be accepted in education and healthcare institutions, government buildings and on public transport," the government said in a statement after the cabinet backed interior minister Ronald Plasterk's bill.

The ban does not apply to wearing the burqa on the street, but only "in specific situations where it is essential for people to be seen" or for security reasons Mark Rutte, the prime minister, told journalists after the cabinet meeting.

"The bill does not have any religious background," Mr Rutte said.

The government said it had "tried to find a balance between people's freedom to wear the clothes they want and the importance of mutual and recognisable communication".

A previous bill banning the burqa even on the street and dating from Mr Rutte's last government, which was supported by anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders, will be withdrawn.

The government said it "sees no reason for a general ban that would apply to all public places."

It was agreed that a new bill would be drawn up by the coalition partners of Mr Rutte's Liberal VVD party and the Labour PvdA when they formed their coalition in 2012.

Those flouting the ban can be fined up to 405 euros (around £290).

State broadcaster NOS said that between 100 and 500 women in the Netherlands wear the burqa, most of them only occasionally.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/netherlands/11624019/Dutch-cabinet-backs-partial-Islamic-veil-and-burqa-ban.html

[YCHofficial 5,293]

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[Weasel 12,525]

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[calmar 22,802]

I don't know much about the history of the islamic veil in the Netherlands, but 500 people seems like an incredibly small number.

 

 

[Head Empty 27,151]

I don't know much about the history of the islamic veil in the Netherlands, but 500 people seems like an incredibly small number.

​Most islamic women here who don't dress in western fashion tend to wear long robes and a headscarf rather than a complete burqa. Burqa's have, however, been a very common topic of discussion, mainly because of one (sadly quite popular) political party that has very clear anti-Islamic views. This party used "controversial" topics like this to put themselves on the map, making burqa's and head scarves a recurring topic in public debate.

[MyQueen 2,409]

Ban burqa all over the world

[Luc 4,776]

I understand and support a ban airports, jails, public transport and schools.

It's symbolic politics, though. Only 500 people. I maybe see like one person wearing one every half a year or so. I think that VVD (Liberal Conservatives) wants to steal votes from the Nationalist party (PVV) with small things like this that affects only a really small amount of people.

[Goosey 3,017]

Bad! I'm no fan of radical Islam but people should be allowed to wear whatever they please. I understand that in France you will now be arrested and fined for wearing Hallowe'en masks or balaclavas! They did that just to target the burqa/niqab. Not so much respect for individual freedoms in these countries.