publish time

18/07/2019

author name Arab Times

publish time

18/07/2019

author name Arab Times
FILE - In this Nov. 4, 2009, file photo, people walk by a poster from the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP/UDC) depicting a woman wearing a burqa in front of a Swiss flag upon which are minarets which resemble missiles, at the central station in Geneva, Switzerland. Later in the month, a successful referendum banned the construction of new minarets in the country. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP, File)

The so-called burqa ban comes into effect in The Netherlands on Aug 1, with EUR 150 (USD 168) fine for people caught wearing it in schools, on public transport, in hospitals and public buildings, Dutch media reported Thursday.

The ban requires public officials and public transport workers to ask people caught covering their faces to remove the burqa or leave the building, DutchNews.nl website reported today. If they refuse, the police will be brought in. Dutch Senators voted last June in favour of the controversial proposals; 13 years after a burqa ban was first mooted in the country, it noted.

The Council of State, which is the Dutch government’s most senior advisory body, had recommended against introducing a burqa ban, arguing that there are already sufficient provisions in law to require people to show their faces. (KUNA)