22 Jan 2012 By Juan Cole The Dutch Cabinet moved a step closer Friday to
banning the burqa, making good on an election promise
that is largely symbolic but has broad public support. Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Verhagen said the
Cabinet agreed on plans to ban the head-to-toe Islamic
gown along with other forms of face-covering clothing
including ski masks. The legislation must still be
approved by both houses of the Dutch Parliament, a
process that could take months. "We are confident we
have a majority," Interior Minister Liesbeth Spies
said. Once seen as one of the world's most tolerant
nations, the Netherlands has turned increasingly
conservative in recent years and is pushing immigrants
more to fully assimilate into mainstream Dutch
society. Anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders welcomed
the decision in a tweet as "fantastic news." Like neighboring Belgium, the Dutch government
cited security concerns as a reason for the ban and
framed it as a move to safeguard public order and
allow all people to "fully participate in society".
"People must be able to look one another in the eye,"
Verhagen said. The Dutch decision came despite criticism of the
ban from independent advisory panel the Council of
State, which reportedly suggested it could amount to
an attack on freedom of religion. Verhagen denied
ignoring the advice and said ministers took it into
account when laying out the reasons underpinning the
legislation. The government is confident that by
citing public order concerns, the legislation will not
breach the European Convention on Human Rights. Leyla Cakir, head of Muslim women's organization Al
Nisa, said she was surprised and shocked by the
decision. "You are taking away women's right of
self-determination, and it is all based on fear," she
said. But in a statement announcing the decision, the
government said it was helping women. "Having to wear
a burqa or niqab in public goes against equality of
men and women," the government said. "With this
legislation, the Cabinet is removing a barrier to
these women participating in society." Associated Press, 27 January 2012 See also "Ministers vote for Dutch ‘burqa ban'", RNW,
27 January 2012 A ban on the veil was part of the deal the VVD and
CDA made with Wilders in September 2010, in exchange
for his party's support for their coalition
government. However, it would be unfair to accuse
Maxime Verhagen of adopting this policy out of mere
political expendency. He has a record of Islamophobia
going back some years. A Penrith man who accused a Muslim of "planning bombs" has been given a conditional discharge because of his mental health problems. Mitchell Tutty, 44, appeared before Carlisle Magistrates' Court yesterday. He had already admitted racially aggravated harassment and using threatening behaviour. The court heard that Tutty, of no fixed abode, approached Kahel Miah as he walked towards St Michael's Church in Penrith. Tutty tried to take his mobile phone off him, claiming to be a policeman. Then he said: "You're planning something, you're planning bombs.' Another man saw the altercation and went to try to help Mr Miah. The witness told police that Tutty was swearing at Mr Miah and being racially abusive. One of the threats he heard was: "I don't know why you're over here. I'll take a photo of you, I'm watching you." Two days after the incident, which took place on October 25, Tutty was bothering another resident. Prosecutor Diane Jackson said he trailed Harold Harrison as he walked from Strickland Gate to the Shell garage. Mr Harrison did not know Tutty and said he was concerned by his aggressive behaviour and attempts to strike up conversations. Defence solicitor Geyve Walker told the court that his client was currently being treated at a psychiatric hospital, where he was making good progress. Mr Walker asked the magistrates to give Tutty a conditional discharge so he could concentrate on rehabilitation when he was released. The bench agreed and told Tutty that as long as he did not get into trouble for the next 12 months no further action would be taken. Comments 💬 التعليقات |