France French parliament approves ban on face veils 

Move sparks concern amongst Muslim and human rights groups but is popular with French voters

The French bill to ban Islamic veils will now move to the upper house of parliament. Photograph: Stephane Mahe/Reuters

The lower House of the French parliament today approved a ban on Islamic veils.

The move is popular among French voters, but has sparked serious concerns from Muslim and human rights groups.

In the vote, 336 members of the French national assembly voted for the bill, with only one voting against. Most members of the Socialist party, the main opposition group, refused to participate in the vote.

The ban on face-covering veils, or niqab, will go to the Senate in September, where it is also likely to be passed. Its biggest hurdle is likely to follow when it is scrutinised by the French constitutional watchdog scrutinises it.

Some legal scholars say there is a chance the ban could be ruled unconstitutional.

The main body representing French Muslims says face-covering veils are not required by Islam and not suitable in France, but it has expressed concern that the law will stigmatise Muslims in general.

France has Europe's largest Muslim population, estimated to be around 5m of the country's 64m people. While ordinary headscarves are common, only around 1,900 women in France are thought to wear face-covering veils.

At the national assembly, few dissenters have spoken out about civil liberties or fears of fanning anti-Islamic sentiment.

Critics say the proposed ban is a cynical ploy by the government of the conservative president, Nicolas Sarkozy, to attract far-right voters.
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