<HTML dir=ltr><HEAD><TITLE>Re: [pp.int.general] Belgium proposes to ban burqas, and masks, and dark sunglasses</TITLE>
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<DIV dir=ltr><FONT color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial>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.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV dir=ltr><FONT size=2 face=Arial>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.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV dir=ltr><FONT size=2 face=Arial>In sum, in NL a burqa ban would be the wrong solution to a non-existing problem, with just symbolic value for politicians.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV dir=ltr><FONT size=2 face=Arial>QUESTION TO THE LIST: do you (all readers of this list) see lots of burqa's around you?</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV dir=ltr><FONT size=2 face=Arial>reinier</FONT> </DIV>
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<FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> pp.international.general-bounces@lists.pirateweb.net on behalf of Stephane Bakhos<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thu 4/1/2010 10:01<BR><B>To:</B> Pirate Parties International -- General Talk<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [pp.int.general] Belgium proposes to ban burqas, and masks, and dark sunglasses<BR></FONT><BR></DIV></DIV>
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<P><FONT size=2>> Richard Stallman ha scritto:<BR>>> Belgium is moving to ban people from covering their faces in public.<BR>>><BR>>> <A href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/31/belgium-public-ban-burqa-niqab">http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/31/belgium-public-ban-burqa-niqab</A><BR>>><BR>>> While I feel little sympathy towards burqas, religious motives are not<BR>>> the only reason to hide one's face. Protestors may not want the<BR>>> police to know who they are; this law will affect the political rights<BR>>> of everyone in Belgium.<BR>>><BR>>> Beyond that, hiding one's face is the only way to be anonymous in a<BR>>> society filled with face recognition cameras. The burqa, a detestable<BR>>> symbol of subjection, provides a convenient excuse to expose everyone<BR>>> to total surveillance. Big Brother would love this law.<BR>>><BR>>> Will dark sunglasses be illegal too?<BR>>><BR>> In Italy masking for the purpose of hiding one's identity has been outlawed<BR>> since 1931. Law n.152 issued in1975 states that using any mean to hide one's<BR>> identity without reasonable ground it's forbidden. There are special<BR>> exceptions for Carnival, Halloween and other similar events.<BR>> Covering the face for one's religion is considered "reasonable ground" and<BR>> attempts by local administration to extend the law to burqas and similar have<BR>> been shut down by the italian state council. Also wearing a full helmet is<BR>> allowed while you're on a motorcycle or similar, but you have to remove it<BR>> when you park the motorcycle and are on your feet. Dark sunglasses are<BR>> allowed because they do not cover the full face.<BR>><BR>> Masking at public protests is expressly forbidden.<BR><BR>In Quebec a law was recently passed (or proposed) to ban burqas and niqabs<BR>in government settings, for either people seeking government services, or<BR>for people working for the government.<BR>____________________________________________________<BR>Pirate Parties International - General Talk<BR>pp.international.general@lists.pirateweb.net<BR><A href="http://lists.pirateweb.net/mailman/listinfo/pp.international.general">http://lists.pirateweb.net/mailman/listinfo/pp.international.general</A><BR></FONT></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>