The Dutch municipality of Nayimchen has apologized to a veiled woman who was unfairly treated in a municipal children's park a few days after the banning of the veil came into effect in the country.
After consultations with the police, the ban on the niqab, which came into effect on August 1, does not include kindergartens, and therefore we apologize to the women who were veiled for misunderstandings, the municipality said on its Twitter account.
According to local media, a kindergarten staffer asked a veiled woman to reveal her face to enter the garden with her family and children, otherwise she would have to leave the place.
However, the woman objected to the decision, which necessitated police intervention. After consultations with the municipality it became clear that the woman had been subjected to unfair treatment.
Local media quoted a municipal spokesman as saying that the municipality provided a free entry ticket for the women to enter the park, explaining that the ban covers only municipal buildings and does not include kindergartens.
On Thursday, the Dutch Interior Ministry announced in a statement that it was forbidden to wear anything that hid the face entirely in public transport, education facilities, hospitals and public government offices.
The law provides for a fine of 150 euros for violators.