La Halde rules against burqa

The highest anti-discrimination authority in France La Halde has ruled in support of a language centre which barred a woman who wore a burqa.

La Halde said that it was necessary for teachers to see the faces of their students to aid with pronunciation and identification, the decision to ban the woman did not amount to religious discrimination.

The woman was taking lessons as part of an integration course for immigrants in France.

In June this year the Conseil d'État refused to grant French nationality to a Maroccan woman who wore a burqa and said it was an indication she had not accepted the "values of the Republic".

Photo:Yanboechat