Burqas Banned in Some Dutch Buildings: DutchNews

The Netherlands joins France and Belgium in imposing a ban on wearing garments that cover the face, including burqas, niqabs and ski masks, in public buildings and transport. Denmark, Germany, Spain and Italy impose partial bans. In the Netherlands, “The ban has been 13 years in the making and dates back to the time Geert Wilders’ anti-Islam PVV party propped up a minority government formed by Mark Rutte’s VVD and the Christian Democrats,” reports DutchNews. Government officials question the need for the law, and police said enforcement will be a low priority, expressing concern about discouraging women from reporting crimes. Likewise, hospitals assure the public that care will be provided regardless of dress. One newspaper raised the possibility of citizen arrests. Officials suggest the ban may apply to about 400 women in the Netherlands. The law targeting Muslim women could create a backlash, prompting people to don such garments in protest. More than half of the Dutch population is non-religious, and 5 percent practice Islam. More than 75 percent of the Dutch do not regularly attend services. – YaleGlobal