EU court upholds Belgium’s ban on full-face veil

July 12, 2017

The European Court of Human Rights has upheld a 2011 Belgium law banning the niqab, or full-face veil.

“The controversial ban aims at providing the conditions of living together as a protection of other people’s rights and freedoms that can be considered essential, therefore, in a democratic society,” the Court ruled. “A concern for meeting the minimal requirements of social life can be considered to be a protection of other people’s rights and freedoms.”

 

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Further information:

• EU rights court upholds Belgian ban on full-face niqab veil (AFP)
• Rights: Strasbourg, European Court grants Belgium’s claim. No wearing niqab in public places (SIR)