Thursday, April 22, 2010
Associated Press
PARIS
French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday ordered legislation that would ban women from wearing Islamic veils that hide the face in the street and other public places.
In seeking to forbid the garment from public view, Sarkozy defied the advice of experts sought by the government who warned that such a broad ban risked contravening France’s constitution.
Such a measure would put France on the same track as Belgium, which also is moving toward a complete ban in a similar reaction as Islamic culture has come in conflict with native European values. Sarkozy has repeatedly said that such clothing oppresses women and is “not welcome” in France.
Government spokesman Luc Chatel said after Wednesday’s weekly Cabinet meeting that the president decided the government should submit a bill to parliament in May on an overall ban on burqalike veils.
“The ban on veils covering the whole face should be general, in every public space, because the dignity of women cannot be put in doubt,” Chatel said.
The decision to seek a full ban, rather than a limited ban, came as a surprise. After a Cabinet meeting just a week ago, the government spokesman announced a decision for legislation that bans the veil but takes into account conclusions on the matter by the Council of State, France’s highest administrative office.
The government had sought the council’s opinion to ensure a law would pass constitutional muster. The Council of State advised that a full ban would be “legally very fragile.” A six-month parliamentary inquiry also concluded that a full ban would raise constitutional issues, as well as enforcement problems.
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