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Wearing the full veil, such as the burqa or the niqab, is banned in the Netherlands from Thursday onwards in schools, hospitals, public buildings and public transport. It was the anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders who proposed in 2005 the vote on legislation on the full-face veil. After some fifteen years of debate, the law was finally passed in June 2018 to enter into force today.
With our correspondent in Brussels, Laxmi Lota
Offenders risk a fine of 150 euros. Wearing the full veil is possible in the street, except in public transport. But the bus, tram, train or metro network announces that the drivers will not stop their vehicle to bring down a woman in violation, because that would cause delays.
No clothing covering the face also in the care establishments. Again, many hospitals across the country said they " would not refuse to provide care to anyone, no matter what clothes they wear ".
According to the Dutch Ministry of the Interior, it is up to school staff, hospitals, institutions and drivers to deny access to a woman wearing a full veil or to call the police.
According to estimates, out of 17 million inhabitants, between 200 and 400 women wear this garment in the Netherlands. " In these places, it is important for the security and the good functioning of public services that everyone can recognize and look at each other, " said the minister.
Next step according to anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders , the headscarf ban.
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Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) August 1, 2019The law goes further in France: the full veil is banned throughout the public space since 2010. Belgium, Denmark and Austria have adopted the same legislation.