French move to fine women for wearing burqa

This article was published in The Sydney Morning Herald 8 January 2010

Muslim women who wear the full Islamic veil in France will face a possible 750 euros ($A1175) fine, according to a draft bill unveiled on Thursday by the leader of the parliamentary majority.

Jean-Francois Cope, who heads the governing UMP party in the National Assembly, told Le Figaro newspaper's weekly magazine that men who force their wives to wear the burqa or niqab could face an even heavier fine.

"The law will address an issue of security," Cope said in an interview with the magazine.

"The proposed measure would prohibit the covering of the face in public places and on the streets, with the exception of special cultural events or carnivals."