Burqa and niqab banned at education institutions

Norway’s parliament has passed a bill banning clothing that partially or fully covers the face from being worn at educational institutions – the bill applies to students and teachers alike, as well as to staff at daycare centres, reports The Local.

It was backed by a majority in two rounds of voting separated by three days, in accordance with Norway’s parliamentary procedure, media including VG and Bergens Tidende report. Representatives from the Socialist Left, Red and Green parties voted against the bill. The anti-immigration Progress Party expressed its delight at the passing of the bill. Scandinavian neighbour Denmark passed a similar law and was criticised by human rights groups including Amnesty International.

The niqab is a full veil with a small slit for the eyes, while the burqa is a full veil that covers the head and body with a mesh screen over the eyes. Norway’s ban on the veil at institutions met with resistance from educational institutions, with the Norwegian School of Economics calling it “strange and dramatic”, while the University of Bergen and Norwegian University of Science and Technology both said it was unnecessary.
Full report on The Local site