Danish police have fined a woman for wearing a niqab in a shopping complex, local media reported. It’s the first such fine to be issued for violating the country’s contentious law banning full-face Islamic veils in public places, which came into effect on Wednesday.
The legislation, which came into effect on Wednesday, imposes a fine of 1,000 kroner (over Rs 10,600) on anyone wearing garments that hide the face. The 28-year-old woman was fined after fighting with a woman who was trying to remove her traditional Muslim face veil, known as a niqab.
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Police spokesperson David Borchersen said a fight broke out after the Muslim woman walked into the other woman, who tried to rip her face veil off, at the top of some escalators. He stressed that the assault had nothing to do with the niqab. Mr Borcher said: ‘During the fight her niqab came off, but by the time we arrived she had put it back on again.’ Both women have been charged for fighting in public, but the Muslim woman was also fined for failing to obey the new law.
Human rights campaigners say the ban is a violation of women’s rights, while supporters argue it enables better integration of Muslim immigrants. Belgium, France, Germany and Austria have also imposed bans or partial bans of full-face veils.
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