The New Muslim Crime


The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Italy have laws – or are considering laws – against clothes that cover all of the face. Now it's France's turn to ban the public wearing of the burqa or niqab. The around 5,000 potential "clothes criminals" risk a fine up to 150 euros, or the order to attend "re-education". Critics say that the law stigmatizes Muslims, that Sarkozy wants to win voters back from Front National. The intensive debate last summer started when he wanted to cover up his scandals... The defenders assert that the veil is an affront to the principles of gender equality and secularism. Or is it rather a question of freedom of religion, of conscience..? Those rights are protected by European law...