[xtypo_dropcap]T[/xtypo_dropcap]he debate on the ban of the burqa and all other Islamic veils covering women’s face and bodies began on Tuesday in the French Parliament.
President Nicolas Sarkozy had ordered the Parliament to pass a bill in April banning Islamic veils that hide women’s faces.
“The all-enveloping veil represents, in an extraordinary way, everything that France instinctively rejects. This is the symbol of the enslavement of women and the banner,” he said before the lower house.
The conservative government in France is encouraging a “moderate, state-sanctioned” Muslim that respects the French values, reported Associated Press.
Back in 2009, Sarkozy had already stated that “France is a country that has no place for the burqa,” but backed off from a complete ban when officials told the deputies that a ban could be anti-constitutional, counterproductive and impossible to enforce.
French officials have stated that even if the bill becomes a law, it will be difficult to enforce.
“We can’t impose a state of permanent control on citizens,” legal expert Remi Schwartz told the panel. “That would mean everyone should be identifiable at all times, which would make public space into a vast zone of video surveillance.”
France, whose five million Muslims make up Europe’s largest Islamic minority, has been criticized in the Muslim world for considering a burqa ban. French Islamic community leaders have warned against passing a law that would stigmatize Muslims.
Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) views the bill as “simply the latest in a line of racist policies and laws that target Muslims, and in particular Muslim women,” as reported in a press release issued by the organization.
Judith Sunderland, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch in Western Europe described the bans as a “lose-lose” situation. “They violate the rights of those who choose to wear the veil and do nothing to help those who are compelled to do so,” she said in a press release.
Even so, Sarkozy decided to go through with the bill, after warnings from the French Catholic Church and the state council that this bill could be a breach of the country’s human rights laws. In fact, Sarkozy expects to easily push the bill through.
The law will not only apply to approximately 2,000 French women who wear the burqa, but also to tourists who visit wearing the full veil. Any woman wearing one in public will be fined, and a warning letter sent to their homes. The government also reserves the right to deny citizenship to immigrants who fail to follow the law.
Belgium already became the first country to ban Islamic veils such as the burqa and all other clothing that obscures the identity of the wearer in public places back in April. Violators can face fines of between $20 and $33, or serve up to seven days in jail. The law can also be applied against demonstrators who try to conceal their faces.
President Nicolas Sarkozy had ordered the Parliament to pass a bill in April banning Islamic veils that hide women’s faces.
“The all-enveloping veil represents, in an extraordinary way, everything that France instinctively rejects. This is the symbol of the enslavement of women and the banner,” he said before the lower house.
The conservative government in France is encouraging a “moderate, state-sanctioned” Muslim that respects the French values, reported Associated Press.
Back in 2009, Sarkozy had already stated that “France is a country that has no place for the burqa,” but backed off from a complete ban when officials told the deputies that a ban could be anti-constitutional, counterproductive and impossible to enforce.
French officials have stated that even if the bill becomes a law, it will be difficult to enforce.
“We can’t impose a state of permanent control on citizens,” legal expert Remi Schwartz told the panel. “That would mean everyone should be identifiable at all times, which would make public space into a vast zone of video surveillance.”
France, whose five million Muslims make up Europe’s largest Islamic minority, has been criticized in the Muslim world for considering a burqa ban. French Islamic community leaders have warned against passing a law that would stigmatize Muslims.
Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) views the bill as “simply the latest in a line of racist policies and laws that target Muslims, and in particular Muslim women,” as reported in a press release issued by the organization.
Judith Sunderland, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch in Western Europe described the bans as a “lose-lose” situation. “They violate the rights of those who choose to wear the veil and do nothing to help those who are compelled to do so,” she said in a press release.
Even so, Sarkozy decided to go through with the bill, after warnings from the French Catholic Church and the state council that this bill could be a breach of the country’s human rights laws. In fact, Sarkozy expects to easily push the bill through.
The law will not only apply to approximately 2,000 French women who wear the burqa, but also to tourists who visit wearing the full veil. Any woman wearing one in public will be fined, and a warning letter sent to their homes. The government also reserves the right to deny citizenship to immigrants who fail to follow the law.
Belgium already became the first country to ban Islamic veils such as the burqa and all other clothing that obscures the identity of the wearer in public places back in April. Violators can face fines of between $20 and $33, or serve up to seven days in jail. The law can also be applied against demonstrators who try to conceal their faces.
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