Paris:
After six months of fierce debates on the burqa, a French parliamentary committee has recommended a partial ban on women wearing the burqa. The committee has also proposed amendments to French law to refuse long term visas and nationality to those showing what it calls "visible signs of radical religious practice."
The 200 page report on the full Islamic veil called niqab or burqa makes 18 recommendations including:
- Parliamentary vote on the prohibition of the full veil in France
- Ban on covering the face in public institutions
- Measures to discourage the stigmatisation of Muslim communities
- Educational progammes to prevent radicalisation
The parliamentary mission says that a partial ban in public places is necessary and would be easy to enforce.
"Can we accept covered faces in the 21st century in our streets and in the public space? That's the question," Andre Gerin, President, French Parliamentary Mission on the Full Veil.
A complete ban however would first have to be reviewed by the courts to establish its legality, although some are confident that it will soon come through.
"I am for the complete law. I think it'll have a majority in the national assembly as well as in the senate to pass this law and it'll come," said Jacques Miyard, UMP, French ruling party MP.
The members of the French parliamentary mission on the burqa say that they are striving for an Islam that is more compatible with the French republic. This comment and the 18 recommendations in the report are likely to spark off fresh debates before any partial or complete ban can be brought about here in France.