Should burkas be banned in the UK?

Boris Johnson MP recently divided opinion - drawing condemnation from the Prime Minister and provoking a disciplinary investigation by his Conservative Party - for controversial remarks about Muslim women who wear burkas/burqas. Though he did not advocate a ban, his comments have reignited the debate following bans on the full-face-and-body coverings becoming law in countries including France, Belgium, and Denmark. This conversation looks at whether similar prohibitions should be introduced in the UK. It operates on the basis that women are making a free choice when wearing burkas, and are not forced to be doing so - something which all parties would reject.

Yes: burkas should be banned

Burkas are a tool of repression and a threat to national security.

New(er) cultures should adapt to existing customs

The immigrant should adapt to the culture of the country they reside in, not the other way around. Explore

Safety concerns should be prioritised

Wearing clothing that covers a citizen's identity poses a threat to security. Explore

Burka wearing normalizes dominance of women

The custom is intentional and part of a cultural practice that subjugates and dominates females to an extreme degree. Explore

Islam does not require a burka

Face-veiling is customary, not religious. Explore

Y/N: They should be banned but only in a limited way

In a secular society, burkas should be prohibited from government buildings. They should also be banned from places where security could be a concern.

The government is secular

In countries with a secular government, the burka should be banned from government buildings. Explore

Ski masks and helmets are also banned in some locations

You can't walk into a bank wearing a ski mask or a helmet. You shouldn't be allowed to wear a burka either. Explore

No: burkas should not be banned

A ban would infringe civil liberties, inflame tensions and would be impractical to enforce.

Personal liberty should be prioritised

A burka ban would infringe Muslim women's rights to religious freedom and civil liberties. Explore

Prevents dialogue

Adopting a legislative approach to increasing gender equality through banning the burka will stymie constructive dialogue. Explore

A Barrier to Integration

Burka bans are a hinderance to integration. Explore

An anti-Muslim environment

Burka bans have a direct correlation with anti-Muslim violence. Explore

A Discriminatory Law

Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights prohibits discriminatory laws on religious grounds. Explore

A burka ban is excessive relative to its object

The burka is worn by less than 1% of Muslim women. A blanket ban is not a proportional response in relation to the object. Explore

This page was last edited on Thursday, 28 Nov 2019 at 09:26 UTC

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