Dutch government proposes ban on full-face veils
May 27, 2015
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The Dutch government has proposed a ban on full-face veils, ski masks, and helmets in schools, hospitals, government buildings, and public transportation.
The ban, which must be approved by the nation’s parliament, has “nothing to do with religion,” said Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
"In a free country like the Netherlands, everyone has the right to dress how they choose, no matter what others think,” he added. “That freedom is only limited in situations when it is essential for people to look at each other.”
Bans on full-face veils took effect in France and Belgium in 2011.
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Further information:
- Netherlands approves plans for face-covering veil ban (BBC)
- Netherlands plans to ban full-face veil in public places (Reuters)
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Posted by: nbeck -
May. 27, 2015 9:43 PM ET USA
Only a fool would believe that this "has nothing to do with religion" as the Prime Minister claims...It may not be solely about religion, but a specific religion (Islam) is integral to it. The message is loud and clear to those women who choose--and many do, in fact, freely choose to cover themselves, as anthropologists have shown (e.g. John Bowen)--to wear the veil: Check your religion at the door if you want to enter.
