France abaya ban: A subject of debate in many countries across the EU
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00:00 The question of imposing bans on the veil worn by Muslim women has been a recurring
00:04 debate in Europe.
00:06 Such bans came to the forefront after US policy makers declared a war on terror in the wake
00:11 of the 9/11 attacks, giving rise to a narrative targeting Muslims based on their attire.
00:17 Across the Atlantic, EU countries began debating strict bans on certain veils.
00:22 On the burqa, a full body covering with mesh around the eyes, and the niqab, a face veil
00:26 that only reveals the eyes.
00:29 After the 9/11 attacks, France became the first EU country to impose a ban on both robes
00:34 in 2010, calling them a sign of oppression of women.
00:38 Other EU countries then followed suit.
00:41 Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Italy in some localities, the Netherlands in public
00:47 places and Spain in parts of Catalonia.
00:51 Meanwhile Germany remains divided on the issue.
00:54 Although politicians across party lines agree that the burqa and niqab are out of place
00:58 in schools and universities, the country has no general ban on full face veils in public.
01:04 In 2021, the European Court of Justice ruled that women could be fired from their jobs
01:09 for refusing to remove their hijab if their profession involves the public.
01:14 It then amended that law in October last year, saying EU companies may need to justify bans
01:19 on wearing religious symbols.
01:21 [BLANK_AUDIO]