Spain to limit use of burqa in public places

Jun 15, 2010, 13:48 GMT

Madrid - Spain will limit the use of the Islamic all-body veil burqa in public places, Justice Minister Francisco Caamano said Tuesday.

The partial ban will be included in a law on religious freedom which is being prepared by the government, Caamano said, describing the burqa as not respecting human and female 'dignity.'

The law on religious freedom is also expected to ban Christian religious symbols such as crucifixes from public schools, hospitals, town halls and the like.

Caamano made his comments after four north-eastern municipalities, including Spain's second-largest city Barcelona, outlawed the use of the burqa and the niqab in public buildings.

The burqa covers the entire body including the eyes, while the niqab leaves an opening for the eyes.

Barcelona prohibited the use of Islamic all-body veils not only in public buildings, but also in areas such as markets.

Critics regard the debate on all-body veils as political point-scoring, since they are very rare among Spain's 1.3 million Muslims.