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Netherlands to Ban Burka

The Dutch government announced its plans to introduce legislation banning full-length veils and other clothing that covers the face in public places, justifying the step mostly on security grounds. Some see the move as an attempt by the right-wing to increase popularity for the upcoming national elections. The Dutch Justice Minister explaind the move: "The cabinet finds it undesirable that garments covering the face, including the burka, should be worn in public in view of public order, [and] the security and protection of fellow citizens." The Dutch Immigration Minister added that "From a security standpoint, people should always be recognizable and from the standpoint of integration, we think people should be able to communicate with one another."

The main Dutch Muslim organization CMO said that would be a violation of civil rights: "This is a big law for a small problem," as less than 50 women in the Netherlands wear a burka. The ban must pass parliament to go into effect. Jeroen Dijsselbloem, of the opposition Labour Party, condemned the proposal.

The move to ban the burka will place the Netherlands as the European hardliners on the issue. Europe has been dealing with questions on integration and assimilation of Muslims. In France, the government banned head scarves and other "conspicuous" religious symbols at state schools back in 2004. Germany also enacted a ban on teachers in public schools wearing head scarves. In Belgium, the city of Maaseik has banned burkas, but there is no nation wide legislation. The Italian parliament approved anti-terrorist laws making hiding one`s features in public illegal.