Dutch cabinet partially ban 'burqas' in public places

The Dutch cabinet has marked partial ban on wearing the face-covering Islamic veil i.e. burqua, at public areas including schools, hospitals and public transport.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that the prohibition bill of Islamic veil passed on May 22 will be regulated in education and healthcare institutions and government buildings in future, but the decision was in no way religiously motivated, the Guardian reported.

Rutte told journalists that the ban would not apply to wearing the burqa/naqab on the street, only for security reasons or "in specific situations where it is essential for people to be seen."

He added that the aim was to find a balance between people's freedom to wear the clothes they want and the importance of mutual and recognisable communication.

The proposal will be sent to a panel of legal advisers for assessment, and if it gets enforced, flouting the ban could cause fine up to 405 euros thereafter.