REUTERS: France is moving toward a ban on wearing face-covering Islamic veils in public, with the government set to examine a draft bill next month amid heated debate over women's rights and religious freedom.
President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke out in favor for a complete ban on Wednesday, and the relevant bill will be presented to the cabinet in May, government spokesman Luc Chatel said on Wednesday.
Sarkozy believed that the full veil, commonly referred to as the burqa in France, "hurts the dignity of women and is not acceptable in French society," he told reporters.
Chatel quoted Sarkozy as saying that everything should be done so that "no one feels stigmatized because of their faith and religious practices."
The proposal has attracted both fierce criticism and praise in the home of the largest Muslim community in the 27-member European Union. Almost 10 percent of France's 62 million population is Muslim.
Most French voters back a ban, polls have shown, but legal experts have warned that it could violate the constitution.
France's highest court, which advises the government on the preparation of new laws, said in March a ban could be unlawful. >>> Reporting by Emmanuel Jarry, writing by Sophie Hardach; Editing by Mark Heinrich | Wednesday, April 21, 2010
LE FIGARO: INFO LE FIGARO - La décision a été arrêtée mercredi matin à l'Elysée par Nicolas Sarkozy : le gouvernement va déposer un projet de loi mi-mai, qui sera soumis à l'examen du Parlement en juillet.
Nicolas Sarkozy a tranché. Malgré l'avis défavorable rendu par le Conseil d'État en mars, le port de la burqa fera l'objet d'une mesure d'interdiction générale sur le territoire national. Un projet de loi sera présenté par le gouvernement. La décision a été arrêtée, ce mercredi matin, lors d'une réunion à l'Elysée, réunissant autour du chef de l'Etat, le premier ministre François Fillon, les responsables de la majorité et les présidents des groupes parlementaires. >>> Par Bruno Jeudy | Mercredi 21 Avril 2010
THE TELEGRAPH – FRANCE: "We're legislating for the future. Wearing a full veil is a sign of a community closing in on itself and of a rejection of our values," Luc Chatel >>> | Wednesday, April 21, 2010
