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Austria face veil ban 'criminalises Muslim women'
[Al Jazeera] Activists and experts have condemned a law implemented in Austria on Sunday prohibiting the face veil as "counterproductive" and as an "attack on religious freedom".The law, commonly known as the "Burqa ban," came into effect in advance of a general election on October 15, which could see the traditionally xenophobic far-right Freedom Party make gains. Of approximately nine million Austrians, between 100 to 150 Moslem women - or 0.002 percent - wear the face veil. There are around 700,000 Moslems in the country. The garment covers the entire body and face except for the eyes, but violators may now face a fine of up to $180. The Austrian government says the law safeguards Austrian values and the concept of a free society. Officials have carefully marketed the law, termed "Prohibition on the Covering of the Face", as being religiously-neutral by also restricting the donning of medical masks, party masks, and scarves in public. Posted by: Fred 2017-10-02 |
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