WUNRN
Also Via Human Rights Without
Frontiers
FRANCE - WOMAN TOLD TO LEAVE PARIS
OPERA AFTER CAST REFUSED TO PERFORM UNLESS SHE REMOVED MUSLIM VEIL
- Cast
'objected strongly' to woman in the audience wearing a niqab-type veil
- Security
guard asked her to either uncover her face or leave
- Ban
on covering the face in public in
- The
incident has divided opinion in the city's liberal arts community
In an incident which has divided opinion in the city's liberal arts
community, cast members performing La Traviata 'objected strongly' to the
presence of a woman in the audience wearing a niqab-type veil.
'A singer spotted her in the front row during the second act,' said
Jean-Philippe Thiellay, director of the Bastille Opera, which was opened by
Socialist president Francois Mitterand in 1989.
'Some performers said they didn't want to sing,' said Mr Thiellay, who
confirmed that she was kicked out.
There has been a ban on Muslims covering their face in public in
Women living on housing estates on the outskirts of major cities like
So far unnamed, she is believed to be a well-off woman from a
Referring to a security guard, Mr Thiellay said: 'He told her that in
'The man asked the woman to get up, they left. It was unpleasant getting
her to leave.
'But there was a misunderstanding of the law and the lady either had to
respect it or leave,'
But other opera lovers in a city historically renowned for its tolerance were
less impressed.
'What possible harm could a woman sitting quietly in the audience with face
covered do to anyone?' said Guy Laurent, a regular at the Bastille Opera.
'The woman would clearly have felt utterly humiliated by what happened –
French culture should be more tolerant.
'It is not the job of theatres to enforce petty laws.'
The incident happened on October 3, but it is only now that it is becoming
a national polemic.
Technically the woman now faces a fine of just over £180, although there is
not thought to have been any police involvement.
The woman and her friend were not refunded any of their ticket price.
The European Court of Human Rights upholds French face
veil ban
A spokesman for France's Ministry of Culture today said it was 'producing a
new set of rules' to make sure the so-called 'burka ban' was better enforced in
theatres, museums and other public institutions.
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