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Tunisia moves against headscarves Tunisia moves against headscarves
(about 1 hour later)
The Tunisian authorities have launched a campaign against the Islamic veil worn by some women to cover their hair.The Tunisian authorities have launched a campaign against the Islamic veil worn by some women to cover their hair.
Police are applying with renewed vigour a decree dating back to 1981 which prohibits women from wearing Islamic headscarves in public places.Police are applying with renewed vigour a decree dating back to 1981 which prohibits women from wearing Islamic headscarves in public places.
In recent days, senior officials have hit out at what they describe as sectarian dress worn by people who use religion to hide political aims.In recent days, senior officials have hit out at what they describe as sectarian dress worn by people who use religion to hide political aims.
Human rights groups say the move is unconstitutional.Human rights groups say the move is unconstitutional.
Police in Tunisia have been stopping women on the streets and asking them to remove their headscarves and sign pledges that they will not go back to wearing them.Police in Tunisia have been stopping women on the streets and asking them to remove their headscarves and sign pledges that they will not go back to wearing them.
Under a ban introduced in 1981, women in Tunisia are not allowed to wear Islamic dress in schools or government offices. Those who insist on it face losing their jobs.Under a ban introduced in 1981, women in Tunisia are not allowed to wear Islamic dress in schools or government offices. Those who insist on it face losing their jobs.
One woman said she was barred from entering her son's school wearing a headscarf.One woman said she was barred from entering her son's school wearing a headscarf.
'Unconstitutional''Unconstitutional'
President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali said last week that those who wore the headscarf exploited religion to achieve political aims. The interior minister said last week that those who wore the headscarf exploited religion to achieve political aims.
Other senior officials described it as a sectarian form of dress and suggested that it was associated with violence and extremism.Other senior officials described it as a sectarian form of dress and suggested that it was associated with violence and extremism.
But Tunisian human rights activists accused the authorities of depriving women of the basic freedom guaranteed by the constitution.But Tunisian human rights activists accused the authorities of depriving women of the basic freedom guaranteed by the constitution.
They say many people are upset by the ban, but that in a country where dissent is not tolerated they dare not show their anger.They say many people are upset by the ban, but that in a country where dissent is not tolerated they dare not show their anger.
Mr Ben Ali has been keen to restrict the spread of ideas or signs of religiosity that could strengthen the country's outlawed Islamic opposition. President Zine El Abidine Ali has been keen to restrict the spread of ideas or signs of religiosity that could strengthen the country's outlawed Islamic opposition.
In the 1990s he moved to crush Tunisia's main moderate Islamic movement when fighting erupted in neighbouring Algeria between Islamists and the state.In the 1990s he moved to crush Tunisia's main moderate Islamic movement when fighting erupted in neighbouring Algeria between Islamists and the state.