French Parliament Votes To Ban The Veil

The French parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a ban on wearing veils over the face, a move which could make the Muslim burka illegal. Skip related content

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There were 336 votes for the bill and just one against at the National Assembly.

Most members of the main opposition group, the Socialist Party, refused to participate in the vote.

President Nicolas Sarkozy has pushed for the law, saying the full veil "hurts the dignity of women, and is not acceptable in French society".

But government advisers warned the proposed ban could be unconstitutional.

Face-covering veils, like the burka and niqab, are worn by many Muslim women out of choice and are not required by Islamic law.

However, some critics claim that many are pressured into wearing the veil.

Although France has the largest Muslim population in Europe - an estimated five million people - the veil ban is thought to only directly affect fewer than 2,000 women.

The new legislation would forbid face-covering Muslim veils in all public places in France, including on the country's streets.

Anyone caught flouting the ban would face a £125 fine or citizenship classes, or both.

Those convicted of forcing someone else to wear a full veil would be hit with a fine of £25,000 and a one-year jail sentence.

If the ban is approved by parliament the law could come into force by September.

A similar law was passed in Belgium in April.

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Personally I think this is good for public safety. Being able to fully identify someone at all times can only be a good thing and is in the greatest interest of the French people. If I concealed my identity in Britian in a way (other than the Burka) where my face couldn't be seen i would be told to remove whatever I was wearing. Just because some people "choose" to wear the veil is no good reason to avoid public law. From my interpretations of the holy Quran it never says this garment has to be worn. I wish the British politicians would vote for a ban on this garment. A long with it they should ban the balacalava...

Your thoughts?

Why don't they ban short shorts for men first?

Much bigger problem

Equality laws prevent this. Also don't you see as banning garments all garments that are worn across the face as a good move to improve public safety?

This is not about public safety.  It is about specifically targeting Muslim women to drive Muslims out of France.   Well I am not in France, so France can do whatever it is going to do, but I feel the policy is wrong.

And it is things like this that lead militant Muslim fundamentalists to justify their war against the West.

Bollocks.

82% of French citizens want this case, banning garments covering the entire face banned.

It is nothing to do with targetting Muslims.....Muslims want it to seem like this to make the point that they deserve rules of their own and that 82% of the populations opinion doesn't matter.

Can I just ask you, if i walked around passed seurity cameras with a Burka could you identify me?

Belgium has already banned all garments that cover the face. Not even human rights could stop this. It has nothing to do with religion. It is a free choice adopted by a small minority of muslims, In the process of doing this they conceal their identity.

Nope... I disagree with a ban..  People should be allowed to wear what they want.  However, when pictures of facial features are required for identity cards such as passports and driver's licences or to prove identy when voting, then wearers should be required to remove the facial veil without fuss or muss...

Public Safety? Sure.. Yet, no one's out there banning masks, wigs, sunglasses or hats, which can obscure as much of the face as a veil...

The ban actually forbids the wearing of anything that covers the face. So masks, and things of that nature would be included within the ban.

That line says it all.

We can take away your choice, since it is not impeeding on your freedom of religion.

It's what 82% of France wants. Motorcycle helemts are difficult as they are to protect them. Balaclavas would be banned IF this law gets passed. I tell you what though, it would be interesting on halloween when the authorities are dishing out £125 fines for people covering their faces.