By Christian Fraser
BBC News, Rome
|
Italy has a law against wearing masks in
public |
Italy
is to put forward draft new legislation to ban the Islamic veil that
covers the face.
Vice-premier Francesco Rutelli says current laws are
insufficient.
The niqab and the burka have aroused concerns, not least because
Italy has a law - intended to foil terrorism - against wearing masks
in public.
Mr Rutelli has now entered the debate, calling for a change in
Italian law which would make the wearing of the niqab an offence.
"If you look at the laws that are currently in place, they're not
sufficient," he said.
"We need a new law, one that respects people's rights in our
society but at the same time makes it quite clear that it's not
acceptable for people to cover their faces."
The debate mirrors that in France, Holland and Britain, where
politicians have described the niqab as a mark of separation.
Romano Prodi, the Italian prime minister, has already set out his
position.
"You can't cover your face, you must be seen," he said recently.
"It's important for society and for integration."
But the debate has sparked tensions.
The centre-right National Alliance MP, Daniela Santanche, is now
receiving round-the-clock police protection after calling for a ban
on the veil during a TV chat show.
Until recently Italians have been reluctant to ban religious
symbols, perhaps as religion and the crucifix are such a key part of
Italian society.
As for the headscarf, it has been commonplace for devout Roman
Catholic women, especially in the south, to cover their heads when
outdoors.
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