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Dutch Aim To Ban The Burka
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| Adamo |
Dutch aim to ban the burka
Anthony Browne, Brussels
14oct05
THE Netherlands is likely to become the first country in Europe to ban the burka, under government proposals that would bring in some of the toughest curbs on Muslim clothing in the world.
The country's hardline Integration Minister, Rita Verdonk - known as the Iron Lady for her series of tough anti-immigration measures - told parliament she was going to investigate where and when the burka should be banned.
The burka, which is traditional clothing in some Islamic societies, covers a woman's face and body, leaving only a strip of gauze for the eyes.
Ms Verdonk gave warning that the "time of cosy tea-drinking" with Muslim groups had passed and that natives and immigrants should have the courage to be critical of each other. She recently cancelled a meeting with Muslim leaders who refused to shake her hand because she was a woman.
The proposals are likely to win the support of parliament because of the expected backing by right-wing parties.
But they have caused outrage among Muslim and human rights groups, who say the Government is pandering to the far Right.
Ms Verdonk admitted a complete ban on the garment would be legally tricky because of freedom of religion legislation.
She said, however, that she would prohibit the garments "in specific situations" on grounds of public safety.
The ban is likely to be enforced in shops, public buildings, cinemas, train and bus stations and airports, as well as on trains and buses.
The Netherlands has become preoccupied by Islamic terrorism after the investigation into the murder of the filmmaker Theo van Gogh uncovered a network of Muslim extremists dedicated to destroying the country.
Attention has turned to the burka because police authorities have become concerned that a terrorist could use one for concealment. "We want to investigate when, how, in which places the burka should be banned," a Government spokesman said. "It is a safety measure - you don't see who is in it."
The Government cites as a precedent existing soccer legislation, which bans people from entering grounds covering their faces in scarves.
Yassim Hertog, a vice-president of the Muslim School Boards Union, said: "Can you prohibit someone from wearing a certain type of dress? They are trying to test what a government can forbid, and how far you can go trampling on people's rights.
"They want to show all these Dutch citizens who are sick and tired of all these 'mutant' citizens, this is where we draw the line - get normal."
Muslim groups insist that only a few dozen women in The Netherlands wear the burka, and that the ban is a distraction.
The Times
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| Cal |
| quote: | Originally posted by Adamo
She recently cancelled a meeting with Muslim leaders who refused to shake her hand because she was a woman. |
Lol what?! Muslim leaders want to negotiate, but can't even bring themselves to compromize that one tiny aspect of their faith?!
They deserve everything they have coming. |
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| ChemEnhanced |
| talk about walking on a slippery slope. |
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| jon jon |
| quote: | Originally posted by Adamo
"They want to show all these Dutch citizens who are sick and tired of all these 'mutant' citizens, this is where we draw the line - get normal."
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lmao
I think people should be allowed to wear what they want... but I also think Burka's are facking retarted. lol How's that for insight. |
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| Cosmic Fur |
| I wanna move to Holland. |
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| Jayx1 |
| i dont agree with the idea of a burka. But i do believe that people should have the right to wear what they want. Who is the government to tell us how to dress? Whats next? Telling us we cant wear tshirts? |
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| Cal |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
i dont agree with the idea of a burka. But i do believe that people should have the right to wear what they want. Who is the government to tell us how to dress? Whats next? Telling us we cant wear tshirts? |
Yes, Jay, t-shirts are next, and then the world-wide ban on cigarettes, alcohol, gambling, fatty foods, SUVs, and pants next year.
And then the aliens that built the pyramids are going to come back and take the chosen ones to the paradise on Alpha Centauri where Elvis, the Sasquatch, and the Loch Ness Monster live.
It's all happening like you said it would be. |
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| Jayx1 |
seriously... how can anyone claim to be tolerant and then support this kind of ban?
i think the mentality now is "if u dont like it, ban it... to hell with other people's rights" |
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| EvilTree |
While I'm in support of law that is in place for genuine security reasons, this one might be just to spite the increasing muslim population in Holland.
Then again, we haven't seen female suicide bombers in Holland... Not just quite yet. |
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| St_Andrew |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
i dont agree with the idea of a burka. But i do believe that people should have the right to wear what they want. Who is the government to tell us how to dress? Whats next? Telling us we cant wear tshirts? |
Totally agree with that. It's a slippery slope.
They should get to the problem from another angle, like increasing rights and protection for women that don't want to wear them, or something like that. |
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| Jayx1 |
or maybe they should just lay off.
Has anyone ever bothered to ask women in burkas their opinion? I think most are happy with the idea of wearing one. |
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| Moral Hazard |
| this is a touchy one. On one hand I have to say that people should have the right to choose in what manners they express themselves and their religious values. On the other hand I recognize that some muslim women are forced to wear the Burka against their wills but due to their family structure their will is completely disregarded (note the word some). The real debate to be had here is whether or not the government should infring upon the rights of all those who choose to wear a burka in order to protect the rights of those that are being forced/cohersed into wearing a burka against their will. Unfortunately I do not know enough about the Muslim population in The Netherlands to make any meaningful contributions to such a debate. |
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