Belgium’s Muslim Council and Amnesty International on April 30 led the criticism of representative’s plan to ban burqa-type Islamic dress in public. They condemned the move by the House of Representatives to back the bill which considers burqa-type clothing incompatible with basic security because everyone in public must be recognisable. The criticism came as the bill moves to the senate.
It is unclear though when the senate will be able to vote, as the elections in Belgium are expected in mid-June. Some Christian Democrats and Liberals in the Senate have questioned the phrasing of the law, which holds no one to appear in public with the face fully or partly covered so as to render them no longer recognizable.
It is being presented as an act to combat discrimination against women whereas as in actual fact it is an act of discrimination in itself, said David Nichols, executive officer Amnesty International Brussels. “It severely curtails individuals’ rights to freedom of expression and freedom of religion.” Isabelle Praile, the vice president of the Belgian Muslim Council lamented.