i don't support the proposed dutch burqa ban. i'm not a fan of burqas, and i'm certainly against forcing women to wear them. but forcing women not to wear them seems almost as bad to me.
i understand the logic behind banning burqas and niqabs in certain situations. facial coverings can be dangerous sometimes. covered faces render ID photos less useful and when testifying judges and juries often judge credibility by looking at the face of the witness. i'm not sure if all of those things should be enough to outweigh someone's right to religious expression in particular circumstances, but i at least see a good argument for bans on certain kinds of coverings in certain situations.
but i don't get the point at all of outlawing burqas anywhere in public. why can't people dress however they want? what's the big deal?
i wonder if the ban isn't about trying to stop people from wearing burqas as much as discouraging religious muslim immigrants from coming to the netherlands. i guess if the video of topless women and gay kissing doesn't weed them out, maybe telling them they need to get a new wardrobe will.
