In Germany , the Islamic full body veil (burqa) or facial veil (nikab) is not generally prohibited. However, there are restrictions: As the first state, Hesse issued a ban in 2011, which only applies in the public sector. This was preceded by a dispute with a Muslim employee of the Frankfurter Bürgeramt. In addition, courts have repeatedly denied students female students the full veiling of the face.
REUTERS
Repetitioner in France: Kenza Drider with Burka
France was the first European country to ban publicly wearing full veils in April 2011 nationwide. In a European-wide ruling, the European Court of Human Rights approved the ban in 2014 and rejected the complaint of a French Muslim.
Also in Bulgaria , public disguise will be banned in the future. The parliament passed this law in September 2016 , justifying it with the defense of national security in times of terrorist threat. There are exceptions for prayer houses, at work or at sports. In the event of a violation, fines of up to 750 euros are imminent.
DPA
Woman with burka in Brussels (Stock Image)
Belgium has been banned since July 2011 . Anyone who covers his face in public life in such a way that he can no longer be identified must expect a fine or, in extreme cases, several days' imprisonment. A few months later, the Constitutional Court rejected a lawsuit filed by two women who wanted to overturn the ban. In 2004 , the city of Antwerp was one of the first municipalities to ban burqa at the instigation of the nationalist party Vlaams Belang.
Since July 2016, there is a ban on concealment in Switzerland , but limited to the holiday canton of Ticino . In a cantonal referendum in 2013, a majority voted in favor of it. In September 2016, the parliament in Bern just agreed to the request of the conservative Swiss People's Party to legislate for a nationwide burqa ban . That the Council of States - the small parliamentary chamber with the representatives of the 26 Swiss cantons - agrees, but is considered unlikely.
AFP
Motorcyclist in the Netherlands
Most recently, on 29 November 2016, the Dutch Parliament approved a restricted ban on burqa, which also applies to other face-covering garments such as motorcycle helmets or balaclavas. Burka and Nikab are not allowed to pay 405 euros in hospitals, public offices, schools and public transport.