AMSTERDAM- On Tuesday Dutch senators passed a bill to ban the Islamic full-face burqa from some public places such as schools and hospitals, ending years of discussion on a hot-button issue.
The upper house of parliament said in a statement on their website, “The Senate has agreed with the bill,”
“The bill proposes a legal ban on wearing clothing that completely covers the face or only shows the eyes, in educational institutions, on public transport, in government institutions and hospitals,” it said.
The bill was passed through with 44 to 31 votes in the 75 seats Senate as it was the last hurdle before it becomes into law.
Three out of four parties supported the bill in Prime Minister Mark Rutte ruling party, the only party that did not approve the bill was the progressive D66 party which voted against it.
Dutch Internal Affairs Minister Kajsa Ollongren is D66 member will have talk to government bodies such the police about how to implement the ban which carries a fine of some 400 euros ($466).
The bill was planned and approved in 2015 but they decided not to ban burqas on the country’s streets.
Photo Credit- JERRY LAMPEN / ANP / AFP
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