In early October Switzerland approved a new bill to ban women from wearing the burqa or niqab in public spaces. Other European countries had already introduced the same bill as we see now in Switzerland.
The members of the Swiss lower Parliament approved the bill, which prohibits people from concealing their face, by a vote of 88 to 87. This means that women may wear a hijab covering ther hair, but cannot wear clothes which only show the eyes (burqa or niqab) in restaurants, streets, buses, etc. Although the bill specifies that the eyes, nose and mouth must be visible, there are some exceptions to the law, such as wearing a mask to protect against viruses.
France is the first European country to introduce a ban on full face coverings. There are currently other European countries that have banned the burqa or niqab: Switzerland, as just mentioned, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Belgium, Denmark, and Austria. But there are also countries in Africa and Asia that have already banned clothes which only show the eyes. They are: Morocco, Tunisia, Congo, Gabon, Chad, Cameroon, Sri Lanka, China, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
We wait and see if other EU countries will approve the same bill.
...when in Rome do as the Romans do.
ReplyDeletethat's seems an interesting solution.
DeleteIt's a well-known proverb!
DeleteTo Irina and Tom:
DeleteActually, if we were to go in their countries (Iran, Afghanistan, etc.), we would sometimes be compelled to wear their clothes. As a result, when they are in Europe they haven't to wear burqa and niqab.
For example, five years ago the Swedish Trade Minister Ann Linde, was wearing a headscarf when she led a business delegation to Iran.
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini also wore a headscarf during a visit to Tehran in April in 2016.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38956212
It seems to me there are more important things for parliamentarians to debate.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Members of Parliament are talking about this topic because the range of impacts of terrorist attacks on EU citizens remains significant.
DeleteHi Giorgio! I’m against the wearing of these rags (sorry, but I can't write otherwise!) by women! My friend I wish you a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteI agree on this, Anna. They (people who come from Middle East) have to adapt themself to the customs of the people who are in a certain place or situation and behave like they do. otherwise, they stay in their country and don't choose to come in Europe.
Deleteall countries have rights to protect their own citizens
ReplyDeleteTrue!
DeleteRight to the point!
There are many Muslims among Russian citizens. In our country, Muslim women wear only headscarves and special clothes. Their faces are open.
ReplyDeleteSo in your country the eyes, nose and mouth of muslim women are visible. That's right! ... We are talking about national security!!
DeleteThank you, Irina for sharing info about your country.
If these women are wearing these clothes out of their own conviction, okay, but looking at what happened in Iran, it's probably good that Europe is on the women's side.
ReplyDeleteI am all for the ban in the name of security.
ReplyDeleteMalaysia is a Muslim country but the Muslim women over here rarely wear the burqa - they generally dress modestly and wear a headscarf (tudung).
Happy Monday, Giorgio.
That's right! ... we are talking about national security.
DeleteI agree on this.
Have a nice week, Veronica.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe meaning of these laws is that burka and niqab are considered symbols of submission of women in the countries where women are not free and must wear burka or niqab. The other reason for these laws, they say, is security reasons (burka covers the whole face of the women who wear it). I think these laws are not necessary but only if women can have the real possibility to choose if wearing burka and niqab or not and if are helped and protected from members of their family who want to submit them and can even kill them if they don't obey. Other point, if the police making a control ask them to show the face they have to do and that's it.
ReplyDeleteThat's the point, Daniele, unfortunately. Police officers can't ask muslim women to show their face! In most EU countries the law don't give them (police officers) the right to control people who wear facial coverings. And this problem is not related to far-right politics ... France's parliamentary majority, which decided to ban the burqa and facial coverings, didn't consist of far-right parties. The so-called Burqa Ban Act wasn't adopted by Marine Le Pen.
DeleteIt is also important another point that you mentioned.
It's about the history of women struggling to have the right to choose their own clothing. But this has nothing to do with national security. It may be interesting in terms of social backgrounds influence our attitudes.
Thank you for sharing your interesting point on view, Daniele.
Put the law aside. These women have been trained, threaten with their lives to wear these. The psychological effects on these women come into play as well. I wonder if the law makers thought of that?
ReplyDeleteThat's so sad! But these women are threatened in their countries ... It seems the law works in some EU countries, as it provides penal sanction.
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