Move sparks concern amongst Muslim and human rights groups but is
popular with French voters
Associated Press
Wednesday July 14 2010
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/13/french-ban-face-veils
The lower House of the French parliament today approved a ban on
Islamic veils [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/19/nicolas-
sarkozy-defends-veil-ban" title="ban on burqa-like Islamic veils].
The move is popular among French voters, but has sparked serious
concerns from Muslim and human rights groups.
In the vote, 336 members of the French national assembly voted for the
bill, with only one voting against. Most members of the Socialist
party, the main opposition group, refused to participate in the vote.
The ban on face-covering veils, or niqab, will go to the Senate in
September, where it is also likely to be passed. Its biggest hurdle is
likely to follow when it is scrutinised by the French constitutional
watchdog scrutinises it.
Some legal scholars say there is a chance the ban could be ruled
unconstitutional.
The main body representing French Muslims says face-covering veils are
not required by Islam and not suitable in France, but it has expressed
concern that the law will stigmatise Muslims in general.
France has Europe's largest Muslim population, estimated to be around
5m of the country's 64m people. While ordinary headscarves are common,
only around 1,900 women in France are thought to wear face-covering
veils.
At the national assembly, few dissenters have spoken out about civil
liberties or fears of fanning anti-Islamic sentiment.
Critics say the proposed ban is a cynical ploy by the government of
the conservative president, Nicolas Sarkozy, to attract far-right
voters.
guardian.co.uk Copyright (c) Guardian News and Media Limited. 2010
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
For current archives, visit http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
For previous archives, visit http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
No comments:
Post a Comment