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Latest update: 19/05/2010
- France - Islamic veil - Nicolas Sarkozy
Sarkozy calls burqa ban bill a 'moral' choice
French President Nicolas Sarkzoy has defended a draft government bill to ban full Islamic veils such as the burqa or niqab in France as a "conscientious" and moral choice, despite warnings from a top legal body that a ban may be unconstitutional.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his cabinet ministers discussed on Wednesday a draft bill aiming to ban the full Islamic veil in France, despite warnings from a top judicial body that banning the burqa and niqab could be unconstitutional.
The text, drafted by Justice Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie, would make it illegal for anyone in France to wear an “item of clothing that hides their face” in the street or any space open to the public.
Sarkozy called the decision to opt for a total rather than a partial ban of the burqa “demanding” but “fair”, saying he and his ministers made a moral, “conscientious” choice.
“It is the government’s and parliament’s responsibility to decide in what kind of society we want to live, and with what human values,” Sarkozy told his cabinet.
“In turn, the relevant judiciary authorities will have to reach their own decision according to their conscience and their vision of what human rights in our Republic stand for,” added the president, addressing concerns that the bill could be challenged and ultimately derailed in court.
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But in March, France's State Council, a top judicial body, warned that a total ban of the veil in all public spaces may be unconstitutional.
The bill is set to go before parliament in July where it is expected to face some resistance from the Socialist opposition, which is calling on the government to limit the ban to official government offices and state institutions such as schools and hospitals.
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Comments (5)
Burqa
I would like to see the burqa banned in the U.S. .... and soon ! ! !
Wearing clothing that hides the face
Yet again I applaud France for its sensible decision and for its desire to remain French despite accepting people into its country from others. A stand must be made and others will follow suit. This is not just about the Burqua but about hiding ones identity which is not desirable nor shuld be accepted when we all realise that the population must be Policed and monitored.
Butqa
Perhaps the French law makers should concentrate on the constitutional rights of those who find the burqa objectionable.
Will you wear a burqa?
Few issues with burqa (viel):
1) Western countries want freedom for all, except Muslim women who have to move like salves covering their faces.
2) Muslims population is growing rapidly. With Western countries policy of one vote for one person, some countries may have Muslim population become majority in few decades. What if the Muslims vote that all women have to wear burqa. Will you let your daughter/wife wear a burqa?
3) Muslim countries have their own rules. Why can the western countries not have their own rules? If you do not implement today, it will become more difficult in the future
4) If Muslim women get used to not wearing Burqa now, they will get used to the freedom, and refuse to wear it in future!
Just a diversion from an inability to address real issues!
Perhaps French law makers should concern themselves with more important issues such as the outrageous numbers of people arrested by the police in France up by 71% between 2001 and 2008. And the fact that suspects held on questioning are denied legal representation during interrogation.
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