French parliament debates Islamic veil ban

BBC News 

The French parliament is debating plans to ban the wearing of full Islamic veils in public. The bill in front of the lower house would make it illegal to wear the niqab or burka anywhere in public. It envisages fines of 150 euros (£119) for women who break the law and 30,000 euros and a year jail term for men who force their wives to wear the burka. A vote on the proposed legislation will be taken next week before a full vote in the senate in September. The veil ban, which is expected to be backed by a majority of French MPs, is also winning support in other parts of Europe. Belgium's lower house has approved a similar measure and Spain's senate recently narrowly voted to impose a ban, too.