In a controversial move, Germany’s interior minister is expected to announce a proposal to ban burqa in public places as part of a string of new security measures.
Many senior ministers in the Angela Merkel government are in support of banning veils that cover the full face of women.
In wake of increased terror attacks in the country, Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière will make an announcement on the proposed ban on Thursday.
“I find a burqa ban absolutely welcome,” Berlin senator Frank Henkel was quoted in German newspaper Tagesspiegel.
Read: Two German judges' associations call for ban on headscarves in courtrooms
The list of new measures also includes a proposal to deport Islamic preachers who incite violence or acts of terror.
“Freedom of expression is non-negotiable. The brutalization of our language and in particular hateful messages posted on social media will not be tolerated. We need to return to our civic virtues. Respect, courtesy and mutual consideration of one another are the foundations for a peaceful coexistence,” says an excerpt from the draft of the new proposals.
Other proposals include increasing of security forces across the country, boosting of surveillance at public places and making stricter rules on dual nationality.
The proposal to ban veils was first made by Christian Democrat (CDU) MP Jens Spahn. “A ban on the full veil, ie the niqab and the burqa, is overdue and would be a signal to the world. I don’t want to encounter a burqa in this country. In that sense I am burqaphobic,” he was quoted telling the Die Welt, last month.
