Europe Lashes Out at Muslim Garb

Terrorism fears have led to crackdowns on garments worn by some Muslim women. In France, where full-face veils like the burqa are already banned, three seafront towns recently prohibited full-body swimsuits, or “burkinis.” Other countries are pursuing their own bans:

GERMANY

Conservatives in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party want a ban on the full-face veil as a security measure, but on Aug. 11 her Interior Minister rejected demands.

DENMARK

Dansk Folkeparti’s Kenneth Kristensen Berth cited security reasons in proposing a burqa ban on Aug. 10, the fourth time the populist party has proposed the ban in 12 years.

BULGARIA

On June 15, Bulgaria’s National Assembly approved the first reading of a law, tabled by the nationalistic Patriotic Front party, that bans veils that partially or fully cover the face.

AUSTRIA

Far-right Freedom Party presidential candidate Norbert Hofer suggested on Aug. 13 that his party would outlaw the burqa if it came to power after October’s elections.