Burqa Ban in the Netherlands

Burqa Ban in the Netherlands. There will be ‘a burqa ban’ in Dutch educational and care institutions, in government buildings and on public transport, reports GOK News.

The Senate agreed on Tuesday with a partial ban on ‘wearing face-covering clothing’. This includes theoretically also balaclavas and full-face helmets. GroenLinks, SP, D66 and PvdA voted against the motion.

The support in the Senate for the proposal was less than in the Lower House at the end of 2016. At that time only D66, GroenLinks and the current Denk-Kamerleden voted against Öztürk and Kuzu.

The motion only applies to employees in a public function – individual companies may determine their own house rules. The proposal states that the Lower House must evaluate the law after three years. It must also be considered how the legislation is implemented abroad.

Although the SP and PvdA have problems with the burqa, they do not need a legal ban. The PvdA also finds it contrary to the freedom of religion.

The Rutte II cabinet already submitted the proposal. Minister of the Interior Kajsa Ollongren (D66) thinks that the proposal ‘found a fair balance’ between the freedom to dress and the ‘general interest of communication and security’.

France, Belgium and Denmark already have a ban on face-covering clothing. None of the countries decided on a specific ban on burqas (gauze for eyes) and niqabs (eyes visible) because this would possibly conflict with the law on religious freedom.