Austria Announces Ban on Veils in All Public Places
Chancellor of Austria Christian Kern stated that the governing coalition has agreed to ban the veils in places such as courts, and schools.
The move comes as part of a package of reforms drawn up after more than a week of negotiations.
The plans were outlined in a new 35-page document, which hopes to implement the new policies over the coming 18 months.
Papers also state that migrants granted the right to stay in Austria must sign an ‘integration contract’ and a ‘statement of values’.
The coalition of Social Democrats and the centrist People’s party also agreed to prohibit police officers, judges and magistrates and public prosecutors from wearing head scarves.
It was stated that the ban was in the interest of appearing ‘ideologically and religiously neutral’ while serving the state.
The document includes plans to increase Austria’s surveillance and security services.
It also promises the government will lower taxes and non-wage labour costs, restrict access of foreign workers to the Austrian labour market and create 70,000 new jobs.
A statement in the document states: ‘Those who are not prepared to accept Enlightenment values will have to leave our country and society.’
Christian Kern said: ‘The full-face veil will be banned in public spaces.’
He added that he wanted to avoid ‘giving 600,000 Muslims in Austria the feeling that they are not part of our society.’
The French parliament passed an act more than six years ago that made France the first European Union country to ban the niqab and burqa, the full-face or face-and-body coverings worn by some Muslim women, in public places.
Source: metro.co.uk
