Burqa ban moves one step closer
MPs vote 335-1 in favour of a ban on the full veil - a vote that was boycotted by the Socialists, Communists and Greens
FRANCE has moved one step closer to banning women from wearing the burqa in public, after the draft law was passed by a large majority of MPs.
The National Assembly adopted the text at first reading by 335 votes to one. It will now be examined by the Senate after the summer break in September and if it passes senators without modification will become law.
The support came mostly from the governing UMP party and the Nouveau Centre - the Socialists, Greens and Communist Party boycotted the vote.
The Socialist Party said a total ban would be legally risky to enforce and hoped the Conseil Constitutionnel would throw out the law.
The party believes that any ban should be limited to public services and shops, not open spaces.
The legislation, drawn by up by justice minister Michèle Alliot-Marie, does not specifically target the burqa but refers to any attempt to "hide the face".
Doing so in a public place would come with a €150 fine and/or a compulsory enrolment on a citizenship course.
Anyone who forces a woman to wear the burqa faces a fine of up to €30,000 and a year in prison.
If passed, the law will come into effect in spring 2011, allowing six months for an "educational" campaign to raise awareness.
The government estimates that about 2,000 women in France wear the burqa.
Photo: Ajancso - Fotolia.com
