Following France’s lead, Denmark will be placing a ban on Islamic full-face coverings in public places for national security purposes.
According to The Independent, “The government said it planned to fine people who wore items including the burqa and the niqab which are worn by some Muslim women.”
The proposed law would reportedly fine people up to 10,000 kroner ($1600) if they are repeatedly caught.
Justice Minister Justice Soren Pape Poulsen said wearing the face-covering in public places is “incompatible” with Danish society.
“It is incompatible with the values of the Danish society or the respect for the community to keep the face hidden when meeting each other in the public space,” Poulsen said. “With a ban, we draw a line in the sand and establish that here in Denmark we show each other trust and respect by meeting each other face to face.”
Support for the law stems largely from the Danish People’s Party, which will push through the legislation. However, all three parties expressed support for the ban this past October.
Previous estimates show the new law would affect no fewer than 200 women. Special occasions, such as Halloween, will allow face coverings.
Should Denmark successfully implement the proposed ban, it will fall in line with France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Bulgaria and the German state of Bavaria. More from the Independent:
Following legal challenges to Belgium’s 2011 national ban, the European Court of Human Rights upheld the country’s right to implement the ban in full. Judges said it did not violate the rights to private and family life, or freedom of religion or discrimination laws.
In June 2017 Norway’s government proposed a ban on face-covering Muslim veils in kindergartens, schools and universities.
Various head coverings are worn by Muslim women, but the bans will only include those that cover the face.
The niqab, which covers the face but leaves the eyes clear, will therefore be banned, along with the burqa, which is the most concealing of all Islamic veils, leaving just a mesh screen to see through.
Hijabs, which only cover the head, will remain legal.