France Bans Veils in Public



(Paris, France) By a vote of 336 to one, France's lower house of parliament banned the wearing of face veils in public places.

The bill makes it illegal to cover the face anywhere in public and those caught wearing a full veil would face fines of $190 or be ordered to enrol in a "citizenship course".

Men who force their wives or daughters to wear the full veil face a fine of up to $37,754 and a one-year jail term, according to the draft legislation.

Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, said earlier this year that the full veil "hurts the dignity of women and is not acceptable in French society".

Justice Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said that life in France is "carried out with a bare face." In opposition, the Socialists, Greens and Communists have boycotted the measure. Heh, imagine that.

The measure is expected to pass the Senate without any problem and become effective sometime in early 2011.