From Times Online
April 1, 2010
Belgium poised to be first in EU to ban the burqa
(Nicolas Asfouri/AFP)
Women who flout the ban will face up to seven days in jail or a fine of up to 25 euros
David Charter, Brussels
With Belgium on course to become the first EU country to ban the burqa, the Muslim tradition of covering women’s faces seems destined to end up in a European court battle pitting individual rights against society’s values.
MPs on Belgium’s home affairs committee have unanimously approved a ban on garments concealing the whole face or making it unrecognisable, setting up a vote in Parliament on April 22 that seems certain to pass given the cross-party consensus.
This would prohibit the full body burqa or face-covering niqab being worn in streets, public gardens, sports grounds and buildings "meant for public use or to provide services" to the public, according to draft Bill.
Women who flout the ban will face up to seven days in jail or a fine of betweem €15 and €25. Headscarves are not affected.
Belgian politicians rarely agree on anything but common ground has been reached on the veil amid a growing atmosphere of concern at Islamic extremism in the country. A group of Muslims are currently involved there in a high-profile trial for allegedly recruiting jihadi fighters for Afghanistan, where the Government has recently agreed to extend its mission as part of the Nato force.
