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| Netherlands to propose burqa ban | Netherlands to propose burqa ban |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The Dutch cabinet has backed a proposal by the country's immigration minister to ban Muslim women from wearing the burqa in public places. | The Dutch cabinet has backed a proposal by the country's immigration minister to ban Muslim women from wearing the burqa in public places. |
| The burqa, a full body covering that also obscures the face, would be banned by law in the street, and in trains, schools, buses and the law courts. | The burqa, a full body covering that also obscures the face, would be banned by law in the street, and in trains, schools, buses and the law courts. |
| The cabinet said burqas disturb public order, citizens and safety. | The cabinet said burqas disturb public order, citizens and safety. |
| Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk is known for her tough policies, and has clashed with past coalition partners. | |
| Late last year she said the government would look into a ban after a majority in the Dutch parliament said they were in favour. | |
| An estimated 5% of people living in the Netherlands are Muslims. | |
| But there are just a few dozen women in the Netherlands who choose to wear the burqa, a traditional Islamic form of dress. | |
| Critics of the proposed ban say it would violate civil rights. | |
| The country's relationship with its Islamic community has been under scrutiny since the murder of film-maker Theo van Gogh by Islamic extremists in November 2004. | |
| The decision by the centre-right government comes days ahead of an election in which questions of immigration and nationality are likely to play a key role. |