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| Dutch government backs burqa ban | Dutch government backs burqa ban |
| (about 4 hours 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. |
| The decision comes days ahead of elections which the ruling centre-right coalition is expected to win. | The decision comes days ahead of elections which the ruling centre-right coalition is expected to win. |
| Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk is known for her tough policies, and has clashed with past coalition partners. | 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. | Late last year she said the government would look into a ban after a majority in the Dutch parliament said they were in favour. |
| Civil rights debate | Civil rights debate |
| Proposals for a ban were revived after a report by an expert committee judged that it would not contravene Dutch law. | |
| Other forms of face coverings, such as helmets with visors that obscure the face, would also be covered by a legal ban. | Other forms of face coverings, such as helmets with visors that obscure the face, would also be covered by a legal ban. |
| [It is] undesirable that face-covering clothing is worn in public places for reasons of public order, security and protection of citizens Rita Verdonk The Islamic veil in Europe Why women wear the veil href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4756&edition=2&ttl=20061117182658" class="">Send us your comments 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. | But there are just a few dozen women in the Netherlands who choose to wear the burqa, a traditional Islamic form of dress. |
| Ms Verdonk insisted the burqa was not an acceptable part of public life in the Netherlands. | |
| "The Cabinet finds it undesirable that face-covering clothing - including the burqa - is worn in public places for reasons of public order, security and protection of citizens," she said. | |
| Critics of the proposed ban say it would violate civil rights. | Critics of the proposed ban say it would violate civil rights. |
| The main Muslim organisation in the Netherlands, CMO, said the plan was an "over-reaction to a very marginal problem", the Associated Press reported. | The main Muslim organisation in the Netherlands, CMO, said the plan was an "over-reaction to a very marginal problem", the Associated Press reported. |
| But the minister told the BBC that social interaction would be easier if faces were not covered. | |
| "It is very important that we can see each other and can communicate with each other. Because we are so tolerant we want to respect each other." | |
| Tension | Tension |
| 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 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. |
| Find out about different styles of Muslim headscarfIn graphics 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. | Find out about different styles of Muslim headscarfIn graphics 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. |
| Earlier this year Ms Verdonk clashed with a minority party in the governing coalition over her handling of the citizenship case of Somali-born Dutch MP Ayaan Hirsi Ali. | Earlier this year Ms Verdonk clashed with a minority party in the governing coalition over her handling of the citizenship case of Somali-born Dutch MP Ayaan Hirsi Ali. |
| The MP scripted a controversial film about the treatment of women in Islamic society, directed by van Gogh before he was killed. | The MP scripted a controversial film about the treatment of women in Islamic society, directed by van Gogh before he was killed. |
| But she admitted lying on her 1992 application for Dutch citizenship, and Ms Verdonk initially called for the MP to be deported. | But she admitted lying on her 1992 application for Dutch citizenship, and Ms Verdonk initially called for the MP to be deported. |