This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/dutch-burqa-veil-ban-holland-votes-for-partial-restrictions-some-public-places-a7445656.html
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Dutch parliament approves partial burqa ban in public places | Dutch parliament approves partial burqa ban in public places |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| MPs in the Netherlands have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a ban on wearing face-covering Islamic veils in some public places, including schools, hospitals, government buildings and on public transport. | |
| The rule – which will outlaw all face coverings including ski-masks and helmets – was approved by 132 members of the 150-seat house. | The rule – which will outlaw all face coverings including ski-masks and helmets – was approved by 132 members of the 150-seat house. |
| It will now go before the Senate, where it must be approved before becoming law. | It will now go before the Senate, where it must be approved before becoming law. |
| Few women in the Netherlands wear Islamic veils – such as the niqab and burqa – but the issue has been hotly debated for years. | Few women in the Netherlands wear Islamic veils – such as the niqab and burqa – but the issue has been hotly debated for years. |
| Under the law, the burqa could still be worn on the streets. But an outright ban is one of the central demands of the anti-Islam opposition Freedom Party, which is leading in polls ahead of parliamentary elections in March. | Under the law, the burqa could still be worn on the streets. But an outright ban is one of the central demands of the anti-Islam opposition Freedom Party, which is leading in polls ahead of parliamentary elections in March. |
| Freedom Party founder Geert Wilders called the limited ban, "a step in the right direction", adding that he will push for a complete ban if his party is elected next year, The Associated Press reported. | Freedom Party founder Geert Wilders called the limited ban, "a step in the right direction", adding that he will push for a complete ban if his party is elected next year, The Associated Press reported. |
| "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 last year after the cabinet backed Interior Minister Ronald Plasterk's bill. | "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 last year after the cabinet backed Interior Minister Ronald Plasterk's bill. |
| It 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." | It 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." |
| The ban only applies "in specific situations where it is essential for people to be seen" or for security reasons, Prime Minister Mark Rutte told journalists at the time. | The ban only applies "in specific situations where it is essential for people to be seen" or for security reasons, Prime Minister Mark Rutte told journalists at the time. |
| "The bill does not have any religious background," he added. | "The bill does not have any religious background," he added. |
| Those caught flouting the ban can be fined up to 405 euros (£343). | Those caught flouting the ban can be fined up to 405 euros (£343). |
| The Netherlands joins several other European countries that have introduced restrictions on Islamic veils, despite numerous challenges from those who say the laws restrict religious expression. | The Netherlands joins several other European countries that have introduced restrictions on Islamic veils, despite numerous challenges from those who say the laws restrict religious expression. |
| Surveys have found that only a few hundred women in the Netherlands wear the burqa, most of them only occasionally. | Surveys have found that only a few hundred women in the Netherlands wear the burqa, most of them only occasionally. |
| France introduced a ban on women wearing the burqa in 2010, resulting in only a handful of arrests since then. | France introduced a ban on women wearing the burqa in 2010, resulting in only a handful of arrests since then. |
| The European Court of Human Rights last year supported the French ban, rejecting arguments that banning veils breached religious freedom. | The European Court of Human Rights last year supported the French ban, rejecting arguments that banning veils breached religious freedom. |
| Under the French legislation, women wearing full-face veils in public spaces can be fined up to 150 euros (£127). | Under the French legislation, women wearing full-face veils in public spaces can be fined up to 150 euros (£127). |
| Belgium and some parts of Switzerland have followed France's lead and similar bans have been considered in other European countries. | Belgium and some parts of Switzerland have followed France's lead and similar bans have been considered in other European countries. |
| Under a Bulgarian law, introduced this year, women who wear a burqa or niqab face a fine of €770 (£665) and benefit sanctions. | Under a Bulgarian law, introduced this year, women who wear a burqa or niqab face a fine of €770 (£665) and benefit sanctions. |
| The move was condemned by Amnesty International as "part of a disturbing trend of intolerance, xenophobia and racism in Bulgaria". | The move was condemned by Amnesty International as "part of a disturbing trend of intolerance, xenophobia and racism in Bulgaria". |
| The Norwegian government is considering banning the burqa from schools and universities, despite there being few women who wear face-covering Islamic dress in the country. | The Norwegian government is considering banning the burqa from schools and universities, despite there being few women who wear face-covering Islamic dress in the country. |
| Senior politicians in Germany have also hinted at the possibility of a similar ban, while a recent YouGov poll revealed around 57% of the British public would be in favour of the government outlawing the burqa. | Senior politicians in Germany have also hinted at the possibility of a similar ban, while a recent YouGov poll revealed around 57% of the British public would be in favour of the government outlawing the burqa. |