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

[bakel362 at planet.nl]

In NL, the debate on a burqa ban is over now (for as long as it lasts ...) but there was a proposal. Unfortunately the ground was a ban on (this type of) religious symbols. I think a much better ground is the risk that criminals may put on burqua's and attack busdrivers etc.
 
There was an estimate that in my country (16 million inhabitants) about 50 women wer wearing burqa's! But someone told me that there are many more in the UK. I don't know about Belgium. I am once or twice a year in Brussels and I never seen one there too.
 
In sum, in NL a burqa ban would be the wrong solution to a non-existing problem, with just symbolic value for politicians.
 
QUESTION TO THE LIST: do you (all readers of this list) see lots of burqa's around you?
 
reinier   
________________________________

From: pp.international.general-bounces at lists.pirateweb.net on behalf of Stephane Bakhos
Sent: Thu 4/1/2010 10:01
To: Pirate Parties International -- General Talk
Subject: Re: [pp.int.general] Belgium proposes to ban burqas, and masks, and dark sunglasses



> 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.
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