Posted on 07/10/2011 7:33:20 AM PDT by lbryce
Muslim women would have to remove veils and show their faces to police on request or risk a prison sentence under proposed new laws in Australia’s most populous state that have drawn criticism as culturally insensitive.
A vigorous debate that the proposal has triggered reflects the cultural clashes being ignited by the growing influx of Muslim immigrants and the unease that visible symbols of Islam are causing in predominantly white Christian Australia since 1973 when the government relaxed its immigration policy. Critics say the bill smacks of anti-Muslim bias given how few women in Australia wear burqas. In a population of 23 million, only about 400,000 Australians are Muslim. Community advocates estimate that fewer than 2,000 women wear face veils, and it is likely that even a smaller percentage drives.
“It does seem to be very heavy handed, and there doesn’t seem to be a need,” said Australian Council for Civil Liberties spokesman David Bernie said. “It shows some cultural insensitivity.”
Under the law proposed by the government of New South Wales, a woman who defies police by refusing to remove her face veil could be sentenced to a year in prison and fined 5,500 Australian dollars ($5,900).
The bill – to be voted on by state parliament in August – has been condemned by civil libertarians and many Muslims as an overreaction to a traffic offense case involving a Muslim woman driver in a “niqab,” or a veil that reveals only the eyes.
The government says the law would require motorists and criminal suspects to remove any head coverings so that police can identify them.
(Excerpt) Read more at theblaze.com ...
Where’s that tiny violin so I can play a sad song for the Muzzies who are oh so discriminated against that they must actually obey the same laws as the rest of the world.
They can always stay snug in their burkas in yemen, or saudi arabia, or iran or whatever muslim country they originally came from.
It appears to be a sign of sanity.
WHO CARES?
Anything that does not accommodate the flannel heads 100% is “anti muslim bias”. Cry me a river of sand.
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