Burqa ban in France declared constitutional

The law banning burqa type head coverings passed both houses of the French legislature by overwhelming margins earlier this year.

Top constitutional authorities in France ruled Thursday that the law is legal, clearing the final hurdle before the ban goes into effect in the spring.

The law imposes a fine of 150 euros ($190) and/or a citizenship course as punishment for wearing a face-covering veil. Forcing a woman to wear a niqab or a burqa will be punishable by a year in prison or a 15,000-euro ($19,000) fine, the government said, calling it "a new form of enslavement that the republic cannot accept on its soil."

Safety and security were two reasons given for the ban.

More here.