This Country Has Introduced A Partial Niqab And Burqa Ban

On June 27, 2018, the Dutch Senate passed a bill that partially bans face-covering veils such as burqas or niqabs in public spaces. The bill was approved by 44 out of the 75 members of the Dutch Senate and supported by most major political parties in the Netherlands.
The ban, which has been defended as a security measure, will make it illegal for people to wear any face-covering items of clothing in certain government-run locations, including public transport, hospitals and schools. Though other concealing garments, such as ski-masks and motorcycle helmets, will be affected by the ban, the new restrictions will mainly impact Muslim women who wear full-length veils.
According to current estimates, between 200 to 400 Muslim women in the Netherlands wear burqas or niqabs in public and will no longer be able to access the aforementioned facilities while dressed in either veil. Recent reports suggest that the government intends to enforce the ban with a fine of around €400. Women will still be permitted to wear either veil on the street and the restrictions don’t extend to religious headscarves like the hijab, which leave faces uncovered.

Other headscarves, such as the hijab, won’t be affected by the ban

Well over half of the Senate voted in favour of the bill and the legalisation was supported by the current prime minister Mark Rutte, who claimed it ‘doesn’t have any religious background’ when it was proposed in 2015. Furthermore, only one out of the four political parties (namely D66) that make up the current Dutch coalition government opposed the bill.

Even though the law has been framed as religiously neutral by its proponents, Dutch far-right politicians, mainly drawn from Geert Wilders‘ anti-Islamic party PVV, view the Senate’s decision as a major victory and have pushed for similar, or more severe bans, for over a decade. As France, Belgium, Austria and Denmark have introduced comparable laws in recent years, the Netherlands will be the fourth EU member state to prohibit face-covering veils in public.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.