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Spain rejects proposal to ban burqa
[Arab News] Spain's Parliament has rejected a proposal to ban women from wearing in public places Islamic veils that reveal only the eyes.The proposal was debated late Tuesday; 183 lawmakers opposed the ban, 162 lawmakers voted for it and two abstained. The nonbinding proposal had been put forward by the leading opposition Popular Party, which portrayed it as a measure in support of women's rights. The ruling Socialist Party opposed the ban. Other European countries have also debated banning body covering clothing such as burqas or niqabs. Within Spain, the city government of northeastern Barcelona and some neighboring town councils have banned the wearing of such garb in public buildings such as town halls and hospitals. Opponents of a ban say it will harm democracy and violate religious rights while supporters say it is a matter of national security and of adaptation to local customs. Posted by: Fred 2010-07-21 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=301484 |