First of all, as Deutsche Welle notes, this refers to traditional Muslim women's clothing. In addition, in 13 EU countries, religious clothing is banned in certain private or public institutions and companies.
DENMARK
The Danish parliament on May 31 passed a law banning the appearance in public places in headgear and clothing items that completely cover the face. The ban covers not only traditional Muslim burqa and niqab, but also hats, caps, scarves, masks, helmets and even fake beards that hide a significant part of the face. It is allowed to pull a scarf over the face in cold weather or wear masks during carnival.
But first of all, the ban will affect the burqa – a Muslim women's outer garment in the form of a long veil that completely covers the body and face, with a closed dense mesh slit for the eyes; as well as the niqab – a headdress that completely covers the face and hair, leaving only a slit for the eyes.
The law comes into force on August 1. The first violation of the law will be punishable by a fine of 135 euros. This amount will increase to 1,350 euros starting from the fourth violation. At the same time, as the country's Minister of Justice Søren Pape Poulsen explained, no one will be forced to remove the same burqa right on the street.
FRANCE
The first European Union country to ban the wearing of Muslim clothing that completely covers the face in public places was France. The corresponding law was initiated by the government of then-President Nicolas Sarkozy and came into force in April 2011. At the same time, the law – to avoid discrimination – does not specifically refer to Muslim clothing: "No one should wear in public places items of clothing that serve to hide the face."
The wearing of any type of religious clothing and headgear was banned in French schools back in 2004. The ban on the niqab and burqa in France affected 2,000 women out of 5 million Muslims living in the country.
In 2014, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg (ECHR) ruled that the law adopted in France, based on the idea of "peaceful coexistence," does not violate the European Convention on Human Rights. The ECHR decision opened the way for the adoption of similar laws in other European countries under the jurisdiction of the Strasbourg court.
GERMANY
The Bundestag in late April 2017 passed a law banning women in public service from wearing headgear that covers the face, such as the niqab and burqa. Veiling for religious or ideological reasons contradicts the principle of state neutrality, the justification states. In addition, the law requires a woman, regardless of her occupation, to show her face if law enforcement authorities are trying to establish her identity, for example, during document checks. If necessary, they will have the right to force the woman to open her face.
In addition, the Bundesrat, the representation of the German federal states, adopted a number of important additions to the traffic rules. From now on, it is forbidden to drive while wearing a carnival mask, respirator or some Muslim headgear. Violation is punishable by a fine of 60 euros.
The Bundesrat justified this measure by the fact that the driver's face must be recognizable when recorded by radar. This ban is in effect throughout Germany. In other cases, issues of wearing Muslim clothing are within the competence of the federal states.
NETHERLANDS
The Dutch parliament voted to introduce a ban on wearing the burqa and niqab in 2017. The restriction applies to government buildings, public transport, schools and hospitals. The authorities link this measure to the need for personal identification. Violators face a fine of up to 400 euros.
But in the Netherlands, very few women wear the burqa or niqab – according to the government in The Hague, there are only about a hundred of them.
BULGARIA
In Bulgaria, a ban on wearing the burqa, niqab and any headgear that hides the face, including balaclavas, masks, hoods and other similar items of clothing, was introduced in 2016. Violation is punishable by a fine of 750 euros.
True, the restrictions do not apply everywhere. Such clothing and headgear can be worn, for example, in prayer houses, as well as in cases where hiding the face is related to professional activities or certain sports.
AUSTRIA
In Austria, a similar ban came into force in October 2017. According to the law, in public places the face from the chin to the hairline must be uncovered. Violation is punishable by a fine of 150 euros.
BELGIUM
Since July 2011, a ban on wearing clothing and headgear that hides the face in public places has been in effect throughout Belgium. In 2008, it was introduced only in three Belgian municipalities. Violation is punishable by a fine or arrest for up to seven days. It directly concerns 300 women who wear the burqa and niqab.
In total, one million Muslims live in Belgium. This ban has already been challenged in court several times. Thus, in July 2017, the ECHR issued rulings on two lawsuits, ruling that the ban does not violate the European Convention on Human Rights. The plaintiffs were three Muslim women living in Belgium.