[kirklancaster]

Denmark's controversial Burqa and Niquab ban become Law from today.


Denmark has become the latest European country to ban the Islamic burqa and niqab by outlawing the wearing of face veils in public.

A majority of lawmakers voted in favour of the ban as Muslim women wearing conservative religious clothing looked on.

The law was proposed by the centre-right government which argued face veils were contrary to Danish values - but it insists the ban doesn't target religious groups.

First-time offenders of the so-called burqa ban - which goes into effect on August 1 - will be fined 1,000 Danish crowns (about £115).

The fine increases to 10,000 crowns (£11,500) after a fourth violation.



Human rights group Amnesty International called the ban "a discriminatory violation of women's rights".

An earlier proposal that allowed prison sentences as punishment had been previously removed.

The Danish People’s Party failed in its attempt this week to amend the legislation to include prison sentences for offenders.

Other European countries or individual regions have full or partial bans.



In the Netherlands, face veils are banned in some public places, including schools, hospitals and public transport. A similar law is in effect in the German state of Bavaria.

The Swiss canton of Tessin has outlawed the religious clothing entirely in public.

Danish lawmakers voted 75-30 on Thursday to pass the legislation proposed by the country's three-party centre-right coalition -

The Liberal, Conservative and Danish People’s parties all voted in favour of the law, along with the opposition Social Democrats except for one lone MP, Mette Gjerskov, The Local reported.

An additional 74 members of parliament abstained from the vote.


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