The Netherlands has introduced a ‘burqa ban’ – but its enforcement is in doubt
5 years, 5 months ago

The Netherlands has introduced a ‘burqa ban’ – but its enforcement is in doubt

CNN  

CNN — A “burqa ban” came into force in the Netherlands Thursday, but there are doubts over whether it will be applied in practice. Police guidance says that staff at government institutions or on public transport are responsible for addressing those who flout the ban and requesting they remove the face covering, or leave the premises. When the law passed in June 2018, Upper House press officer Gert Riphagen estimated there were between 200 and 400 burqa or niqab-wearing people in the Netherlands, out of a population of roughly 17 million. France has had a ban in place since 2011, with fines of up to 150 euros for wearing the niqab or burqa in public places. In October 2018 the United Nations Human Rights Committee said the ban violates the human rights of Muslim women and risks “confining them to their homes.” The committee said two women fined for wearing the full-face Islamic veils should be compensated and called on France to review the ban.

France Dutch Netherlands Public Ban Nos Burqa  face  wearing  transport  burqa  doubt  law  ban  niqab  covering  enforcement  netherlands  women  public  introduced

History of this topic

Switzerland bans burqa, law to take effect from 1st January 2025
2 months, 1 week ago

Switzerland bans burqa, law to take effect from 1st January 2025

Op India  

On 6th November, the Switzerland government announced that a”burqa ban” in the country, which forbids the wearing of face coverings in public places, would go into force on 1st January of next year. If the appropriate authority gives prior clearance and public order is maintained, face coverings may also be allowed for personal protection in relation to freedom of expression …

Swiss ‘burqa ban’ to take effect from January 1. What are the exceptions?
2 months, 1 week ago

Swiss ‘burqa ban’ to take effect from January 1. What are the exceptions?

Hindustan Times  

A controversial Swiss ban on facial coverings in public, referred to as the “burqa ban” will go into effect on January 1, 2025, according to a government statement quoted by Reuters on Wednesday. In September last year, Switzerland's lower house of parliament voted to pass a ban on face coverings, such as the burqas worn by some Muslim women. This …

£900 fines for wearing a burqa will be introduced in Switzerland next year, the country announces
2 months, 1 week ago

£900 fines for wearing a burqa will be introduced in Switzerland next year, the country announces

Daily Mail  

Fines of up to £900 for wearing a burqa will be introduced in Switzerland next year, the country's government has announced. The measure widely known as the 'burqa ban' will take effect in every Swiss canton on January 1, after it was already established in St Gallen and Ticino following regional votes. Narrowly passed in a 2021 referendum in neutral …

Amsterdam asks parliament to scrap burka ban
2 years, 4 months ago

Amsterdam asks parliament to scrap burka ban

NL Times  

Three years after the introduction of the ban on face-covering clothing - commonly referred to as the burka ban - the Amsterdam city council is calling on parliament to scrap the ban as soon as possible. A majority in the council supported a motion asking Halsema to make national politicians aware that the Dutch capital does not support the ban …

As Karnataka hijab row escalates, a look at laws on face coverings across the world
2 years, 11 months ago

As Karnataka hijab row escalates, a look at laws on face coverings across the world

Firstpost  

The debate on hijabs, which has been fuelled after students in Karnataka alleged they weren’t allowed in class owing to their dress code, has been ongoing with many European nations imposing full or partial bans on face veils The Karnataka hijab row has captured the entire country’s attention with people from all walks of life expressing their opinions. Discussions on …

As Hijab Row Snowballs in Karnataka, A Look at Nations that have Made Face Veils an Offence
2 years, 11 months ago

As Hijab Row Snowballs in Karnataka, A Look at Nations that have Made Face Veils an Offence

News 18  

Protests for and against the?hijab? News18 February 8, 2022 As the controversy heats up, here’s a look at countries that have banned face coverings, including hijabs, burqas, full face helmets and balaclavas. FRANCE In 2011, France banned face coverings with “Law of 2010-1192: Act prohibiting concealment of the face in public space”. SRI LANKA The country’s Cabinet cleared a proposal …

In France, the age of consent for sex could soon be lower than for wearing the hijab – that really is where we are
3 years, 9 months ago

In France, the age of consent for sex could soon be lower than for wearing the hijab – that really is where we are

The Independent  

Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The latest drive to ban the hijab for anyone under the age …

Muslim women fear they could be attacked after Switzerland votes to ban burqa in public
3 years, 9 months ago

Muslim women fear they could be attacked after Switzerland votes to ban burqa in public

The Independent  

Muslim women in Switzerland fear they could be verbally or physically assaulted after the country narrowly voted in favour of banning the burqa or niqab in public places. “If you want to wear a hijab in Switzerland, you need a lot of courage and awareness you will be abused and even attacked in public.” Her views are shared by Cyrielle …

Burqa Ban: From Security to Equality and Integration, Reasons Behind Regulations in Various Nations
3 years, 9 months ago

Burqa Ban: From Security to Equality and Integration, Reasons Behind Regulations in Various Nations

News 18  

Sri Lanka has temporarily banned wearing burqa following a series of six suicide attacks which killed 253 people in the country. Terror groups including Nigeria’s Boko Haram, active in those areas, have been using female terrorists clad in burqa for suicide attacks and to carry and transport bombs. The countries of ECOWAS, where burqa has been banned, wearing burqa was …

Sri Lanka to ban burqa and shut many Islamic schools, minister says
3 years, 10 months ago

Sri Lanka to ban burqa and shut many Islamic schools, minister says

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sri Lanka will ban the …

Switzerland Bans Burqa, Here's List of Nations that have Made Face Coverings in Public an Offense
3 years, 10 months ago

Switzerland Bans Burqa, Here's List of Nations that have Made Face Coverings in Public an Offense

News 18  

Switzerland has banned the ‘burqa’ after a far-right proposal to ban facial coverings won a narrow victory in a binding referendum on Sunday. Here is a list of countries that have banned full face coverings in public: France In 2011, France banned face coverings with “Law of 2010-1192: Act prohibiting concealment of the face in public space”). The advocates of …

Switzerland votes in favour of ‘burqa ban’
3 years, 10 months ago

Switzerland votes in favour of ‘burqa ban’

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The proposal under the Swiss system of direct democracy …

Switzerland Voters Agree to Outlaw Facial Coverings in 'Burqa Ban' Vote
3 years, 10 months ago

Switzerland Voters Agree to Outlaw Facial Coverings in 'Burqa Ban' Vote

News 18  

A far-right proposal to ban facial coverings in Switzerland won a narrow victory in a binding referendum on Sunday instigated by the same group that organised a 2009 ban on new minarets. The proposal under the Swiss system of direct democracy does not mention Islam directly and also aims to stop violent street protesters from wearing masks, yet local politicians, …

Swiss Muslims denounce ‘burqa ban’ proposal as referendum nears
3 years, 10 months ago

Swiss Muslims denounce ‘burqa ban’ proposal as referendum nears

Al Jazeera  

Only a few women are understood to wear facial coverings in Switzerland, where a controversial vote will take place on March 7. “It is also an act of worship.” For the 32-year-old from Switzerland, who prefers to be identified by only her first name, wearing the niqab – a veil worn by some Muslim women which covers the lower half …

Swiss voters favour ‘burqa ban’, poll shows ahead of public vote
3 years, 11 months ago

Swiss voters favour ‘burqa ban’, poll shows ahead of public vote

Al Jazeera  

More than 60 percent of voters will vote yes, or are considering doing so, in upcoming referendum, survey shows. A clear majority of Swiss voters favour introducing a nationwide prohibition against the wearing of full facial coverings such as burqas and niqabs in public spaces, a poll showed on Friday. According to the Tamedia poll of 15,000 eligible voters, 63 …

Fine for not wearing a face mask €95, new law likely from December
4 years, 2 months ago

Fine for not wearing a face mask €95, new law likely from December

Dutch News  

People who refuse to wear a face mask in all indoor public places face a fine of €95 from December 1, sources have told the Telegraaf. At the moment, the Dutch government ‘strongly recommends’ people wear masks in shops and council buildings, but cannot make masks compulsory until new emergency legislation has been enacted in law. MPs would still have …

More anti-Muslim aggression since burka ban, foundation says
4 years, 3 months ago

More anti-Muslim aggression since burka ban, foundation says

NL Times  

Foundation Report Islamophobia called on the government to accelerate its assessment and scrapping of the so-called burka ban. According to the foundation, the ban led to more aggression and discrimination against Muslims, and Muslim women in particular, ANP reports. But that has to happen sooner, because Muslim women have been confronted with more Islamophobia since the introduction of the law, …

Nearly 150 fined in Amsterdam for not wearing a mask
4 years, 4 months ago

Nearly 150 fined in Amsterdam for not wearing a mask

NL Times  

Enforcement officers in Amsterdam handed out 148 fines on Sunday to people not wearing a face mask in areas where this is mandatory. In one case, the person refused to listen and the police arrested them, a spokesperson for Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema said to AT5. It used to be 395 euros, because the Public Prosecution Service had not given …

Burqa Ban: Train stopped in Rotterdam CS over woman in niqab
5 years, 3 months ago

Burqa Ban: Train stopped in Rotterdam CS over woman in niqab

NL Times  

A train was stopped at Rotterdam Central Station on Monday because of a woman wearing a niqab. According to the police, NS inspectors asked for police aid because the woman refused to show her face to the inspectors so that they could check whether she had a valid ticket. The police officers gave the woman two options - either show …

Niqab-wearing woman files complaint against Utrecht hospital
5 years, 4 months ago

Niqab-wearing woman files complaint against Utrecht hospital

NL Times  

A niqab-wearing woman filed a complaint against the Diakonessenhuis hospital in Utrecht, saying that she was refused treatment and repeatedly asked by security to remove her niqab, the Telegraaf reports. "Our policy on wearing face-covering clothing is: everyone is welcome in our hospital and everyone receives care. Diakonessenhuis spokesperson Trudy van den Oosten told the newspaper that the duty of …

Woman wearing niqab kicked off public transit; 1st known enforcement of "Burka Ban"
5 years, 4 months ago

Woman wearing niqab kicked off public transit; 1st known enforcement of "Burka Ban"

NL Times  

A niqab-wearing woman was forced to leave a public bus operated by Arriva in Stein, Limburg on Monday. The bus driver in question called the police when the woman refused to leave the bus, the public transit firm confirmed to NU.nl and the Telegraaf. This is the first known case of a woman being removed from public transport because of …

Face covering arrest should not have happened: Den Haag police
5 years, 5 months ago

Face covering arrest should not have happened: Den Haag police

NL Times  

A man was arrested in Den Haag Centraal on Friday for wearing a balaclava in the station. On Monday, the police said that the arrest turned out to be "unjustified" on a "legal basis". The partial ban on face covering clothing, which was implemented in the Netherlands on August 1st, does not apply to the station. "However, if you walk …

The Dutch ‘burqa ban’ collides with reality, and should make governments think again about policing dress
5 years, 5 months ago

The Dutch ‘burqa ban’ collides with reality, and should make governments think again about policing dress

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The former leader of the Commons, …

Burqa ban descends into farce on first day after Dutch police refuse to enforce it
5 years, 5 months ago

Burqa ban descends into farce on first day after Dutch police refuse to enforce it

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Netherlands’s new ban on …

Burqa-ban enters into force in Netherlands
5 years, 5 months ago

Burqa-ban enters into force in Netherlands

The Quint  

The Hague, Aug 1 The prohibition of the use of burqas in public spaces, designed to target women who use the face-covering garments, came into force amid much controversy on Thursday in the Netherlands. "I understand that it is a strange sight to see a woman walking around in a black niqab and that it can even scare children," Said …

Wynia's Week: it's going to a be a summer of ignoring the law
5 years, 5 months ago

Wynia's Week: it's going to a be a summer of ignoring the law

Dutch News  

Passing laws but failing to uphold them is counterproductive, writes Syp Wynia. Halsema: ‘un-Amsterdams’ Mayor Femke Halsema announced as early as November 2018 she was not going to enforce the burqa ban because it would be ‘un-Amsterdams’ to do so. She was eventually forced to amend her comment, saying the ban would not be ‘at the top of the priority …

Wynia's Week: it's going to a be a summer of ignoring the law
5 years, 5 months ago

Wynia's Week: it's going to a be a summer of ignoring the law

Dutch News  

Passing laws but failing to uphold them is counterproductive, writes Syp Wynia. Halsema: ‘un-Amsterdams’ Mayor Femke Halsema announced as early as November 2018 she was not going to enforce the burqa ban because it would be ‘un-Amsterdams’ to do so. She was eventually forced to amend her comment, saying the ban would not be ‘at the top of the priority …

Burqas banned in Dutch government buildings
5 years, 5 months ago

Burqas banned in Dutch government buildings

Dutch News  

A ban on wearing face-covering garments such as a burqa or niqab in government buildings, schools and on public transport comes into effect in the Netherlands on Thursday. The ban has been 13 years in the making and dates back to the time Geert Wilders’ anti-Islam PVV party propped up a minority government formed by Mark Rutte’s VVD and the …

Burqas banned in Dutch government buildings
5 years, 5 months ago

Burqas banned in Dutch government buildings

Dutch News  

A ban on wearing face-covering garments such as a burqa or niqab in government buildings, schools and on public transport comes into effect in the Netherlands on Thursday. The ban has been 13 years in the making and dates back to the time Geert Wilders’ anti-Islam PVV party propped up a minority government formed by Mark Rutte’s VVD and the …

Burka ban takes effect: No face-covering clothing in gov't buildings, public transport
5 years, 5 months ago

Burka ban takes effect: No face-covering clothing in gov't buildings, public transport

NL Times  

After some 14 years of discussions and failed attempts, the Netherlands is implementing the so-called burka ban today. The idea for a burka ban was first floated in the Netherlands in 2006 by Rita Verdonk, the then Minister of Immigration and Integration, RTL Nieuws reports. The law that regulates the burka ban, officially called the Partial Ban On Face Covering …

Police want alternative for burka wearers after ban; against the law, says Ministry
5 years, 5 months ago

Police want alternative for burka wearers after ban; against the law, says Ministry

NL Times  

The police want to offer an alternative for burka or niqab wearers who want to come to a police station to make a report after the ban on face-covering clothing takes effect on August 1st. A police directive states that people who do not want to take off their veil "for religious reasons" can go to a separate area, a …

Violators of burka ban to be fined €150
5 years, 5 months ago

Violators of burka ban to be fined €150

NL Times  

People who violate the so-called burka ban can be fined 150 euros, the Public Prosecution Service said in a prosecution directive. The ban,officially called the Partial Ban On Face Covering Clothing Act, applies to wearing face-covering clothing in public spaces like government buildings, hospitals, schools, and on public transportation. Government employees, transporters and hospital employees are expected to address people …

Sri Lanka bans 'face veils': Why have Muslim items of clothing always suffered in fight against terrorism?
5 years, 8 months ago

Sri Lanka bans 'face veils': Why have Muslim items of clothing always suffered in fight against terrorism?

Firstpost  

So deeply entrenched is our impression of equating the violent Islamism of the Islamic State to the everyday habits of followers of Islam that it skipped the attention of the world at large that Sri Lanka had become only the second ever country in Asia to enforce such a countrywide ban. A week after coordinated blasts hit three churches and …

Dutch ban on face coverings delayed to start of August
5 years, 9 months ago

Dutch ban on face coverings delayed to start of August

Dutch News  

The ban on facial coverings in public spaces has been delayed by a month and will now take effect on August 1, home affairs minister Kajsa Ollongren has said. The Senate passed the law last July following more than a decade of political wrangling and a sustained campaign by right-wing parties such as the PVV to curtail Islamic cultural influences. …

Dutch ban on face coverings delayed to start of August
5 years, 9 months ago

Dutch ban on face coverings delayed to start of August

Dutch News  

The ban on facial coverings in public spaces has been delayed by a month and will now take effect on August 1, home affairs minister Kajsa Ollongren has said. The Senate passed the law last July following more than a decade of political wrangling and a sustained campaign by right-wing parties such as the PVV to curtail Islamic cultural influences. …

Netherlands to implement burka ban on August 1
5 years, 9 months ago

Netherlands to implement burka ban on August 1

NL Times  

The Netherlands will implement its burka ban, officially called the Partial Ban On Face Covering Clothing Act, on August 1st. The ban was scheduled to be implemented on July 1st, but because a number of educational institutions indicated that they would find it difficult to enforce if the ban comes into effect in the middle of the school year, Minister …

Dutch public transit companies concerned about enforcing "burka ban"
6 years, 1 month ago

Dutch public transit companies concerned about enforcing "burka ban"

NL Times  

Public transit companies in the Netherlands are concerned about how they will have to enforce the impending ban on face-covering clothing. Dutch transport association KNV foresees practical problems in refusing people wearing burkas and similar items, secretary Arjan Vaandrager said to AD. "When police do not show up it can have consequences for the safety of the public transit staff." …

Amsterdam obeys the law, says mayor about burqa ban row
6 years, 1 month ago

Amsterdam obeys the law, says mayor about burqa ban row

Dutch News  

Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema told a full meeting of the city council on Wednesday that her comments about the pending ‘burqa ban’ had been misunderstood. Halsema was criticised by MPs and ministers for telling local broadcaster AT5 that she did not consider that ‘hauling someone out of the tram for wearing a niqab’ was ‘fitting’ in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is a …

Amsterdam obeys the law, says mayor about burqa ban row
6 years, 1 month ago

Amsterdam obeys the law, says mayor about burqa ban row

Dutch News  

Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema told a full meeting of the city council on Wednesday that her comments about the pending ‘burqa ban’ had been misunderstood. Halsema was criticised by MPs and ministers for telling local broadcaster AT5 that she did not consider that ‘hauling someone out of the tram for wearing a niqab’ was ‘fitting’ in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is a …

Burka ban applies to everyone, including the large cities, Dutch PM says
6 years, 1 month ago

Burka ban applies to everyone, including the large cities, Dutch PM says

NL Times  

The burka ban will apply to everyone, also the Netherlands' large cities, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in reaction to the news that the large cities won't prioritize enforcement of this ban on face covering clothing. Over the weekend Mayor Femke Halsema of Amsterdam said that the Dutch capital will not prioritize enforcing the ban. If the priorities are set, …

Burqa ban enforcement 'not a priority' in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam
6 years, 1 month ago

Burqa ban enforcement 'not a priority' in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam

Dutch News  

The pending ban on face-covering clothing such as the ‘burqa’ in public buildings will not be a priority to enforce in three of the big four Dutch cities, the Volkskrant has reported. On Friday Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema told local broadcaster AT5 she would not enforce the ban in the Dutch capital. And junior defence minister Barbara Visser also said …

Burqa ban enforcement 'not a priority' in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam
6 years, 1 month ago

Burqa ban enforcement 'not a priority' in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam

Dutch News  

The pending ban on face-covering clothing such as the ‘burqa’ in public buildings will not be a priority to enforce in three of the big four Dutch cities, the Volkskrant has reported. On Friday Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema told local broadcaster AT5 she would not enforce the ban in the Dutch capital. And junior defence minister Barbara Visser also said …

Amsterdam ordered to enforce burka ban; Rotterdam, Utrecht also reluctant
6 years, 1 month ago

Amsterdam ordered to enforce burka ban; Rotterdam, Utrecht also reluctant

NL Times  

Amsterday mayor Femke Halsema must enforce the ban on face-covering clothing, commonly referred to as the burka ban, in the Dutch capital, State Secretary Barbara Visser of Defense said on WNL on Sunday. On Friday Halsema said that the enforcement of the burka ban, passed by the Dutch Senate this summer, does not have priority in Amsterdam, Het Parool reports. …

France's niqab ban violates human rights by leaving Muslim women 'confined at home', UN panel rules
6 years, 2 months ago

France's niqab ban violates human rights by leaving Muslim women 'confined at home', UN panel rules

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy France’s ban on Muslim women …

UN declares France's niqab ban 'violates human rights'
6 years, 2 months ago

UN declares France's niqab ban 'violates human rights'

Daily Mail  

France's ban on the niqab has been ruled a violation of human rights, The U.N. Human Rights Committee said on Tuesday. In a landmark ruling the UN moved to support wearers of the full-body Islamic veil and ordered France to repay two French women convicted for wearing niqabs in 2012. The Committee said the ban disproportionately harmed their right to …

France’s niqab ban violates human rights, UN committee says
6 years, 2 months ago

France’s niqab ban violates human rights, UN committee says

CNN  

CNN — France’s niqab ban violates the human rights of Muslim women and risks “confining them to their homes,” the United Nations Human Rights Committee said Tuesday. The committee said two women fined for wearing the full-face Islamic veils should be compensated and it called on France to review its controversial 2010 law banning the garment. “The French law disproportionately …

Here is why the Supreme Court should consider banning the burqa
6 years, 3 months ago

Here is why the Supreme Court should consider banning the burqa

Op India  

Imagine going through life with your face and mouth covered, near blindfolded, able to see the world only through a dense wire mesh over your eyes. It is time for India to put a ban on the burqa, along with imposing severe penalties on anyone trying to force a woman to wear one. It should be pointed out that the …

What are the controversies surrounding the burqa and niqab?
6 years, 5 months ago

What are the controversies surrounding the burqa and niqab?

Daily Mail  

The burqa and niqab have both been mired in controversy in the West, where politicians have warned that women are being forced to cover up. Here are some of the controversies surrounding the head coverings: Terror suspects have escaped surveillance by disguising themselves in burqas Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed, escaped surveillance by disguising himself as a woman in a burqa in …

Denmark imposes first veil ban fine on woman
6 years, 5 months ago

Denmark imposes first veil ban fine on woman

CNN  

CNN — A woman in Denmark has become the first person to be fined since a controversial law banning face coverings came into force this week. Police were called to a shopping mall there following an altercation Friday between the woman wearing the veil and another woman, during which the former’s face covering came off, a police spokesman said. Under …

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