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.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Cybersecurity Experts Are Sounding the Alarm on DOGE
- Meet the 2025 Women of the Year
- The Harsh Truth About Disability Inclusion
- Why Do More Young Adults Have Cancer?
- Colman Domingo Leads With Radical Love
- How to Get Better at Doing Things Alone
- Michelle Zauner Stares Down the Darkness
Contact us at letters@time.com