Denmark has banned the wearing of face veils in public, joining France and other parts of Europe in outlawing the burqa and the niqab worn by some Muslim women, NBC News reported.
Parliament voted on Thursday for the law proposed by the center-right government which said face veils were contrary to Danish values. Opponents say the ban, that comes into effect on Aug. 1, infringes women's right to dress as they choose. Justice Minister Soren Pape Poulsen said police would not order offenders to remove their veils, but would fine them and tell them to go home.
Fines will range from 1,000 Danish crowns ($160) for a first offense to 10,000 crowns for the fourth violation.
France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Bulgaria and the German state of Bavaria have all imposed some restrictions on full-face veils in public places.
