French Parliament Backs Bill Banning Islamic Veils in Public
- 14 years ago
The French parliament has voted to support a bill to ban the Islamic veil in public. Once the controversial bill is ratified and comes into force, offenders may face a fine or imprisonment.
On Tuesday, the upper house of France's parliament formally approved a bill banning the wearing of full Islamic veils in public, completing the legislative approval of the controversial measure.
[Michele Alliot-Marie, French Justice Minister]:
"I think that the Senate can be proud of the way in which this debate has been run. I think, very simply, that tonight the Republic can be proud of its Senate and of its senators. I thank you."
The law will now have to be ratified by the Constitutional Council and await a ministerial implementation decree before it comes into force. But the process could take several months.
Once the law comes into force offenders could be fined or required to take part in a citizenship class. In addition, forcing someone to cover their face would be punishable by a one-year prison sentence.
France is home to Western Europe's largest Muslim minority, with about five million Muslims. It is believed that only about 2000 women wear the full length veil.
On Tuesday, the upper house of France's parliament formally approved a bill banning the wearing of full Islamic veils in public, completing the legislative approval of the controversial measure.
[Michele Alliot-Marie, French Justice Minister]:
"I think that the Senate can be proud of the way in which this debate has been run. I think, very simply, that tonight the Republic can be proud of its Senate and of its senators. I thank you."
The law will now have to be ratified by the Constitutional Council and await a ministerial implementation decree before it comes into force. But the process could take several months.
Once the law comes into force offenders could be fined or required to take part in a citizenship class. In addition, forcing someone to cover their face would be punishable by a one-year prison sentence.
France is home to Western Europe's largest Muslim minority, with about five million Muslims. It is believed that only about 2000 women wear the full length veil.