The Danish parliament has passed a law banning the Islamic headscarf (burqa or niqab) in public places, following other European countries such as France or Belgium.
"Whoever wears, in public places, a garment that hides the face is subject to the payment of a fine", it is mentioned in the text that was approved with 75 votes. Thirty deputies voted against the measure.
The bill, tabled by the center-right government, also had the approval of the first two political forces in parliament: the Social Democrats and the populist, anti-immigrant People's Party.
From 1 August, the date on which the new law enters into force, any violation of the headscarf ban in public places will be punishable by a fine of DKK 1.000 (EUR 134). If the offense is repeated, the fine can reach 10.000 kroner.