[pp.int.general] Belgium proposes to ban burqas, and masks, and dark sunglasses

[Stephane Bakhos]

> Richard Stallman ha scritto:
>>  Belgium is moving to ban people from covering their faces in public.
>>
>>  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/31/belgium-public-ban-burqa-niqab
>>
>>  While I feel little sympathy towards burqas, religious motives are not
>>  the only reason to hide one's face.  Protestors may not want the
>>  police to know who they are; this law will affect the political rights
>>  of everyone in Belgium.
>>
>>  Beyond that, hiding one's face is the only way to be anonymous in a
>>  society filled with face recognition cameras.  The burqa, a detestable
>>  symbol of subjection, provides a convenient excuse to expose everyone
>>  to total surveillance.  Big Brother would love this law.
>>
>>  Will dark sunglasses be illegal too?
>> 
> In Italy masking for the purpose of hiding one's identity has been outlawed 
> since 1931. Law n.152 issued in1975 states that using any mean to hide one's 
> identity without reasonable ground it's forbidden. There are special 
> exceptions for Carnival, Halloween and other similar events.
> Covering the face for one's religion is considered "reasonable ground" and 
> attempts by local administration to extend the law to burqas and similar have 
> been shut down by the italian state council. Also wearing a full helmet is 
> allowed while you're on a motorcycle or similar, but you have to remove it 
> when you park the motorcycle and are on your feet. Dark sunglasses are 
> allowed because they do not cover the full face.
>
> Masking at public protests is expressly forbidden.

In Quebec a law was recently passed (or proposed) to ban burqas and niqabs 
in government settings, for either people seeking government services, or 
for people working for the government.