Denmark bans full face veil, burqa and niqab in public places

New Delhi : Without aiming at a particular religion, the Denmark government has passed a resolution that bans women from wearing full-face veil, burqa and niqab in the public places.

Following the footsteps of several European countries, Denmark's ban on usage of cloth to cover the face will come to effect from August 1.

The ban has been passed in the Danish Parliament in a 75-30 vote with 74 absentees, reported The Guardian. The government said the bill is not aimed at any religion and does not ban headscarves, turbans or the Jewish skull cap.

Punishment for violation of the law

If anyone violates the newly passed rule after August 1, then they will have to pay a fine of 1,000 kroner (Rs 10,595). 

“[The] Parliament has clearly stated that the burqa and niqab do not belong in Denmark,” said Danish People’s Party spokesperson Martin Henriksen. “They are incompatible with Danish culture and the foundations on which Denmark is built.”

Other European countries with Burqa Ban

The burqa has become a political issue in several major European countries. France became the first country in Europe to ban the burqa in 2011, followed by Belgium. The Netherlands approved a partial burqa ban in public spaces such as hospitals and schools in 2016, whereas Austria banned the use of burqa from October last year. In 2017, the German Parliament too voted in favour of a partial burqa ban.