| Last week French President Nicolas Sarkozy called for | | | | the Muslim population of Europe. These problems |
| a parliamentary debate to decide whether to legislate | | | | may be better addressed by dealing with the issues |
| a ban on the Islamic niqab, the face covering veil | | | | through Islamic religious and community leaders rather |
| which is estimated to be worn by less than 2,000 | | | | than taking a hard-line approach that may alienate |
| members of France's Islamic community. He called the | | | | many Muslim communities and create no constructive |
| garment "a sign of subservience, a sign of | | | | change. In Afghanistan the Gender Equality Project |
| debasement" and said he believed that it threatens | | | | promoted by the United Nations has been helping to |
| the dignity of women. If such legislation is enforced | | | | raise awareness of women's issues by working with |
| women who are found guilty of defying the ban | | | | mullahs to make people in their community aware of |
| could face fines of up to 750 Euros. | | | | their rights and entitlements in accordance with |
| Is criminalising the hijab likely to help promote the | | | | Islamic law. Implementing changes with sensitivity to |
| human rights of women in the Islamic community? In | | | | the culture and customs of the Islamic populace is |
| predominantly Muslim countries the laws pertaining to | | | | more likely to have an enduring effect than enforcing |
| this issue vary, in Saudi Arabia and Iran women are | | | | legislation which restricts their civil rights. Proponents |
| legally required to wear the burka and face severe | | | | of the ban cite security reasons as an additional |
| punishments from the religious police if they do not | | | | factor in prohibiting the hijab but international human |
| comply, in more secular Muslim countries such as | | | | rights advocates stress that security checks can be |
| Turkey and Tunisia the hijab is prohibited by law in | | | | carried out in private without compromising the |
| government buildings, schools and universities. In | | | | safety of the general public. The proposed French |
| more progressive countries such as Indonesia it is a | | | | laws which may be implemented with the aim of |
| woman's personal decision to choose whether or not | | | | reducing domestic violence and oppression could in |
| to wear the veil, an individual's choice is not legislated | | | | fact have the opposite effect, making some women |
| by the government. Many educated independent | | | | effectively prisoners in their own homes. |
| women who are devout Muslims opt to wear the | | | | European governments will have to further examine |
| veil, will taking away the autonomy and | | | | the impact that restrictions of religious expression will |
| self-determination of these women actually help to | | | | have on this community and formulate solutions that |
| liberate those who are forced to wear the hijab | | | | will maintain respect for faith and cultural diversity |
| under duress? | | | | whilst ensuring that women are free to make choices |
| Many believe that the wider issue is that of coercion | | | | that are not influenced by abuse, coercion or the |
| and domestic violence, which is not addressed by | | | | legislative undermining of their right to |
| legislation which is designed to cosmetically assimilate | | | | self-determination. |