17 November 2006

AMSTERDAM — The Dutch Cabinet has backed a proposal from Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk to ban the wearing in public of burkas and other clothing that conceals the face.

Parliament had requested the ban and Verdonk said on Friday that earlier doubts about the legality of the regulation have now been ruled out.

The Liberal VVD minister will lodge a legislative proposal banning the wearing of such clothing.

The ban will be imposed in all public and semi-public places, such as streets and public transport.

Prior to the new law coming into effect, police will be allowed to enforce a ban on burkas in buses for security reasons, or in education, because of communication problems using current laws.

Muslim groups have said that less than 50 women wear burkas in the Netherlands.

[Copyright Expatica News 2006]

Subject: Dutch news