Can France’s Burka Ban Actually Be Enforced?

by Justin Fenner | 1:20 pm, April 11th, 2011

In general we think laws are a good thing, because a lot of them are supposed to keep us safe and make our lives easier. But when the people behind a law acknowledge that enforcing it might cause more harm than good, does that law have a point? French officials have said that applying the country’s newly enacted ban on the burka, the full-face covering worn by some Muslim women, is going to be pretty hard to do, and will almost certainly have to be enforced on a case-by-case basis.

Nevertheless, The Telegraph reports that just hours after the ban was passed, French police had arrested two women near the Notre Dame cathedral The two were part of a group of people protesting the new law. Some of the other members of this group were also arrested, not because they were wearing burkas, but because the protest itself had not been approved.

Over the weekend, 59 people (19 of them were women wearing burkas) were arrested during a similar protest of the law, the first of its kind in Europe. Concern about stirring up more violence than good has prompted police to be careful about where and how they apply the law.

“The law will be very difficult to apply on certain estates,” said Patrice Ribeiro, of the Synergie police union.

Referring to two Paris suburbs where riots regularly break out because of alleged discrimination against Muslims, Mr. Ribeiro said: “I can’t see police going to book dozens of veiled women doing their shopping in Venissieux or in Trappes.

“It will be the same when a police officer is about to arrest a veiled Saudi who is about to go into Louis Vuitton on the Champs Elysees. In all cases, the forces of order will have to be measured and cautious in their behaviour.”

As much as we appreciate that part of this law’s impetus was the idea that burkas are “contrary to the rights of women,” as French President Nicolas Sarkosy put it, if women are going to jail for protesting this law, then maybe it wasn’t the best route to their liberation.

Earlier:

France Approves Burka Ban By Overwhelming Majority [Styleite]

burka ban Burka Ban Law Burka Law France Burka Ban

Shersherrylynn

I wish we could help all the muslim women and children but making them stop,or not wear a hijab is only a small step, you have no idea what goes on behind the walls of a muslim house or arab doors alot more than you would think if you think the abuse of a women is bad i can tell you most all arabs practice baci boy God save us all ,until then be good to each other ! #1 thing we can do 7 help each other even if its kindness you couldnt guess how much or how good a kind word feels to people living in actual (secret)hell every day .
http://profiles.google.com/sofia.nosheen Sofia Nosheen

I have not seen any kind of statistics anywhere on the number of abuse cases involving Arab/Muslim households. Everyone keeps talking about how all arab households practice the abuse of their women, but no one has any kind of statistics or any other proof to make their claims valid.
http://profiles.google.com/sofia.nosheen Sofia Nosheen

I have not seen any kind of statistics anywhere on the number of abuse cases involving Arab/Muslim households. Everyone keeps talking about how all Arab households practice the abuse of their women, but no one has any kind of statistics or any other proof to make their claims valid.
DKK

That’s because the only information we have about it is from the abused women who managed to escape. There is a LOT of abuse, and it is covered up by the males in that society. Why not? they get to treat their women like personal property. Their bizarre culture allows and encourages men to treat women badly. Look at rape charges- a woman can get stoned to death for being a rape victim if the jury of — of course– MEN don;t believe her, and there are not FOUR- count ‘em- FOUR male witnesses to the rape. Do your homework.
DKK

That’s because the only information we have about it is from the abused women who managed to escape. There is a LOT of abuse, and it is covered up by the males in that society. Why not? they get to treat their women like personal property. Their bizarre culture allows and encourages men to treat women badly. Look at rape charges- a woman can get stoned to death for being a rape victim if the jury of — of course– MEN don;t believe her, and there are not FOUR- count ‘em- FOUR male witnesses to the rape. Do your homework.
Srifince

Law is law to every one in there country,They don’t have STUPID LAWS like in India,that’s the reason India is struggling a lot for developing like other countries.In India Law makers are stupid and Rouges,they change laws when ever they want.Here Muslims can Marry as number they like even Christians almost the same.But Hindus can’t marry more laws are very strict for Hindus,not for Muslims and Christians.because congress will loose the vote bank & they are cheating the citizens of India.I appeal to the other Political Parties to Bring a single law for our country,
Shersherrylynn

I’m not trying to offend the beautiful Muslim women i just wish i could help it makes me sad to really know what you & your children go through its just been practiced so long the boys are abused in the typical style bachi boy which has been practiced in the Arab world since time began so no wonder they have this personality and brutality towards women they most likely feel they were not protected so until the women open there eyes and take a stand it will be that way or until some country has enough resources to stand the long stand and force the change no matter there will always be crime in every part of this world we can only try to do what is good and right love from another sister
Shersherrylynn

Darlin look on the net so many cases also talk with women that have divorced an Arab man after 20 25 yrs of marriage I’m sure you are innocent with this comment Gb you i truly hope you never have to know the ugly truth if indeed you don’t already
Shersherrylynn

You actually have it very right thumbs up for knowledge
Tramaroson

@ Shersherrylynn: WOW!!!!!!!! Soooo much stupidity in the comments! Before commenting on anything, please get your facts right! I can see that there are plenty of ignorant fools around. The niqab is a personal choice! How you may say? First visit the middle east, and ask women who are wearing it, then make up your mind about it. Don’t make a comment about the niqab unless you know all sides about it, because that makes you a real ignorant douche! I am sure you have never left your comfy little house to explore the world!

Secondly, “bizarre culture”????? Are you that close minded? “look at the net” you are making your judgment based on stories on the net, not even true story from your human rights office? Look at your neighbor first…… There are more domestic abuses in developed countries than in the Arab world. But this is due to the number of statistics that we have you may argue? yes indeed some statistics are not available in Arab countries, but how can you make a scientific conclusion about abuses when there is no data? Does no data means more abuses?

My suggestion: Think with your little head before you speak! Don’t be gullible to everything on the web (90% of the internet is junk by the way)! and lastly: OPEN YOUR MIND because you have just proven to the world that you are an idiot!
Srifince

I never comment with out knowing the subject,you may be stupid or idiot on commenting about my suggestions,at first learn to comment after going through the records,which i have commented,yes i have many friends in all the communities,Muslims Christians,do you really know the sufferings about them,once you move with them cordially you will come to know the truth,secondly you have no knowledge about the politics going on in our country,its better shut your mouth don’t act like a insane ass
Srifince

I never comment with out knowing the subject,you may be stupid or idiot on commenting about my suggestions,at first learn to comment after going through the records,which i have commented,yes i have many friends in all the communities,Muslims Christians,do you really know the sufferings about them,once you move with them cordially you will come to know the truth,secondly you have no knowledge about the politics going on in our country,its better shut your mouth don’t act like a insane ass I have great respect to our Muslim brothers and sisters its the france governments policy it has to be followed,it is not our country to play like buffoons,they have there own law to protect rights of the citizens.
Srifince

Do you know how Arabs Insults Pakistani Muslims,they have no right to talk anything openly bcoz if they talk they will harassed immediately and stop salary.but they will not harass Indian Muslims,they respect our Muslims rather Pakistani Muslims,lot of political interference is involved go deep into it you will come to know the truth behind Pakistani and Indian Muslims
Shersherrylynn

First i know my facts i have family that live in the mid east in fact diffrent parts of the east ,so please spare me with trying to save face its not worth it say what ever you want ,some of us know some of you either dont care or hide the fact for what ever reason it doesnt matter either way it is what it is
Shersherrylynn

PS my sister is American she now stupidly lives in a part of the mid east with my brother in law so believe me i really got it, from knowing a lot of Arabic people including blood family, so unless you know your facts, please spare the incredible rude & unnecessary BS, comments because that’s what it is ,I’m not saying America is not without creeps! at all, just saying the ways of life style is very hard to soak in plus even if there is a chance for me to go there and live for eternity no effing way .So shut the F up ,know all about it ,for the last 25 yrs.
Shersherrylynn

Last comment from me because ,this is another example, of trying to have a conversation, with you people! there is no use, none at all, no hope. you are savages plain & simple your great prophet Mohammad as the child molester! he was, the one you worship! like a great god, that he is not & never will be, try Jesus Christ & Jehovah God . history has laid it out for our eyes to plainly see ,if you have eyes and ears that are of use to you,& can read ,then you know ! what has happened & is now happening ,Will continue until this kind of horse sht ,is abolished from our beautiful planet ,that some are trying to make into a sick paradise for adult men to live out there perversion on ,don’t worry have no doubt it will end so sleep well in your delusion ,you will cry where you stand and beg our great creator to forgive you for false witness like you write. If its so great for you ,go & live there be free & happy.But if you care about your sanity & the well being & safety of your children ,boy or girl stay away.For women, try not to get pregnant by them for gods sake, just a warning !Although America is broke for what ever reason it is still safer then the places mentioned .kudos to France, but it wont help them when they are at home .Peace to you France .
pot stirrer

to stir the pot…..I thought the whole thing here was to obey the laws of the country you immigrate to?
go back to where you came from if you don’t want to live like the citizens of the host country.
i don’t care if your savage or angelic…obey the currant laws or get out!
Shersherrylynn

Exactly! why do these men bring these women to host countries that are so different from there own culture & try to force there ways , when they know no one will except that stuff. Its not that we cant it,s that we don’t want to. In the European countries we put up with a lot obviously,but some of this crap is going to far,women have worked to hard to make ourselves at least half way equal.That is one of the reason we are offended by weak women trying to use the modesty cliche for this crap.Take it back to where is normal,Maby women from certain places need to finally stand together & control there own future stop! (depending) on brutal men! you can do it just try.
Shersherrylynn

PS your not a pot stir-er at all, you are just simply right ,I’m so glad to know not everyone in this world wants to control every movement every idea, an adult female can have,women & children male & female are also people ,let them grow & live the same as you are entitled, women are help mates not slaves, or robots, for adult males pleasure ,there children are not for these males pleasure either.They want to grow up happy, i wish they could be left alone ,to do just that. Love from USA ,a country for independent thinkers ,so don’t come here if you are thinking about putting a women in a cloak we don’t want it or like it actually we detest that sht.
Shersherrylynn

One more thing ,since certain countries on this planet want to be heretic’s. Ma by other countries like USA England France Germany Russia Israel Poland sweden Australia Italy etc etc should just go take them away and make them what we want them to be.no burqas everyone can swim in a bathing suit wear short watch movies listen to music yes the women can go to school not be beaten the children can grow up normal.I never realized how much i love France.
Shersherrylynn

Whoot the wicked witch is dead,i say witch because all muslim men wish they were women.
http://www.plus1supply.com/ buy google plus one

the full-face covering worn by some Muslim women, is going to be pretty
hard to do, and will almost certainly have to be enforced on a
case-by-case basis.

Can France’s Burka Ban Actually Be Enforced?

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