Denmark bans niqabs and burqas in public areas

Denmark has become the latest European country to ban face-covering garments like burqas and niqabs in public areas – with those breaking the law risking a $210 fine.

Danish MPs approved the law presented by the Scandinavian nation’s centre-right government coalition.

Under the law, police can instruct women to remove their veils or order them to leave public areas.

The new law does not ban headscarves, turbans or the traditional Jewish skull cap.

However, the law is popularly known as the “Burqa Ban” and is mostly seen as being directed at the dress worn by some conservative Muslim women.

Few Muslim women in Denmark wear full-face veils.

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Justice Minister Soeren Pape Poulsen said it will be up to police officers to use their “common sense” when they see people violating the law that comes into force on August 1.

The law allows people to cover their face when there is a “recognisable purpose” like cold weather or complying with other legal requirements, such as using motorcycle helmets under Danish traffic rules.

First-time offenders risk a fine of 1,000 kroner ($210). Repeat offences could trigger fines of up to 10,000 kroner ($2100) or a jail sentence of up to six months.

Anyone forcing a person to wear garments covering the face by using force or threats can be fined or face up to two years in prison.

Austria, France and Belgium have similar laws.