Denmark bans face veil in public spacesMay 31, 2018 - 18:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Denmark has joined several other European countries in banning the full-face veil worn by some Muslim women in public spaces, Al Jazeera reports. In a 75 to 30 vote on Thursday, May 31, Danish lawmakers passed the law presented by Denmark's centre-right governing coalition. The law was also backed by the Social Democrats and the far-right Danish People's Party. "Anyone who wears a garment that hides the face in public will be punished with a fine," says the law, which is to take effect on August 1. Violating this law will lead to a fine of 1,000 kroner ($156, 134 euros). Repeated violations will be fined up to 10,000 kroner. The Danish ban follows similar recent bans on full face veils in Belgium, France, Netherlands, Bulgaria and parts of Switzerland. The Danish government says the law is not aimed at any religion. But the law, popularly known as the "burqa ban", is seen by some as directed at some Muslim women, who choose to wear the face veil in public. Following the Danish vote, Amnesty International's Europe Director Gauri van Gulik said in a statement: "All women should be free to dress as they please and to wear clothing that expresses their identity or beliefs. "This ban will have a particularly negative impact on Muslim women who choose to wear the niqab or burqa. "If the intention of this law was to protect women's rights, it fails abjectly." It is not known how many women wear the burqa in Denmark. "I don't think there are many who wear the burqa here in Denmark. But if you do, you should be punished with a fine," Justice Minister Soren Pape Poulsen was quoted as saying by Ritzau news agency in February. The European Court of Human Rights last year upheld a Belgian ban on wearing it in public. France was the first European country to ban the niqab in public places with a law that took effect in 2011. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |