Dutch to draw up law banning the Burqa

The Dutch government said today it is planning to draw up legislation “as soon as possible” banning burqas and other clothing that covers a person’s entire face in public places.

“The Cabinet finds it undesirable that face-covering clothing – including the burqa – is worn in public places for reasons of public order, security and protection of citizens,” immigration minister Rita Verdonk said in a statement.

Basing the order on security concerns apparently was intended to respond to warnings that outlawing clothing like the burqa, worn by some Muslim women, could violate the constitutional guarantee against religious discrimination.

In the past, a majority of the Dutch parliament has said it would approve a ban on burqas, but opinion polls in advance of national elections next Wednesday suggest a shift to the left, and it is unclear if a majority in the new parliament would still back the ban.

Once the Cabinet drafts the Bill, it is sent to the 150-member legislature for enactment. The main Dutch Muslim organisation CMO has dismissed the ban as unnecessary.