Spain considers burqa ban

Spain could become the third European country to ban the burqa in public places on the grounds that it oppresses women.

By Fiona Govan in Madrid
Published: 1:41PM BST 20 Jul 2010

The proposal follows approval of such a prohibition in both France and Belgium earlier this month.

The growing anti-burqa sentiment spreading across Europe has already led to a ban against the veil being worn in some parts of Catalonia and Andalusia both areas where Spain's Muslim immigrant population is concentrated.

However, not all headcovering veils would be included in a ban because they form part of traditional Spanish dress, with women often covering their heads with a "mantilla" during religious festivals.

Several local councils, including that of Spain's second largest city Barcelona, passed such legislation in recent months but their powers were limited to banning the veil only in municipal buildings and not in the street or public places.

Spanish lawmakers will now consider passing a nationwide ban with a debate scheduled to start on Tuesday in Spain's Congress.

A vote by Spain's lower house is planned following the debate but may be delayed until after the month-long summer recess, which begins next week.

The debate follows a motion introduced by Spain's conservative opposition Popular Party, but it has won cross-party support and is widely predicted to be passed into law, unless the country's highest court rules it unconstitutional.

The ban, which could form part of the new Religious Freedom Bill, will not be limited to the burka and niqab, it would also restrict the wearing of face coverings, such as balaclavas and motorcycle helmets, in public areas, supposedly for security reasons.

Spain has around 1 million Muslim immigrants among its 47 million population but the burqa is rarely seen.

The consideration of a nationwide ban has angered Muslim groups who argue that is a sign of growing xenophobia.

Mansur Escudero, spokesman for Spain's Islamic Commission, said that women should "be allowed to exercise freedom of choice in how they dress."

But Spain's justice minister, Francisco Caamano, argues that garments such as the burqa are "hardly compatible with human dignity."

Holland is also considering introducing a ban on Islamic face-covering garments but the British government has appeared to rule out such a move.

Immigration Minister Damian Green at the weekend described calls to outlaw such garb as "un-British."

"Telling people what they can and can't wear, if they're just walking down the street, is a rather un-British thing to do," he told the Sunday Telegraph.

"We're a tolerant and mutually respectful society."

From: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/7898629/Spain-considers-burqa-ban.html