Thomas Hammarberg on the freedom to wear burkas

European Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg on Monday came out against banning the burka, as is being discussed for example in France. In the daily Le Temps he explains that a ban on the full body veil contravenes European values: "The partisans of a general ban on the burka and niqab have not succeeded in showing that this attire in any way undermines democracy or security, public order or morals. Their arguments are all the less convincing in that the number of women who wear such clothing is very small. It is also impossible to prove that these women are more subject to repression globally than others. ... We are right to protest strongly at regimes that oblige women to wear the full body veil. This is fundamentally repressive and inacceptable, but it can't be combated by banning this clothing in other countries. ... The awkward debate on banning the burka has created a rift in society. In general the state should on principle avoid passing legislation on how people should dress."

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