The Netherlands’s new ban on burqas has been fatally undermined on its very first day of operation after the police indicated they would not seriously try to enforce it.
The new law prohibits wearing anything which covers the face - including burqas, ski masks or motorcycle helmets - in public settings such as schools, hospitals, trains or buses.
Anyone who does enter one of these places with a burqa will be told to remove it or be fined between €150 and €415 (£136 - £378).
The legislation only extends to public buildings and transport and there is no ban on covering the face in the street.
But the law has been rendered largely pointless even on its first day after it emerged no-one wanted to actually enforce it.
The police have let it be known they do not consider stopping women wearing burqas a priority, and are concerned it will stop some people from coming into police stations to report crime.
Then, an umbrella organisation of transport companies said their bus conductors and train drivers will not try to enforce the law, especially as the police will not back them up should they need it. [The Independent] Read more
