Dutch ban on burqas takes effect

The Netherlands banned the wearing of a face-covering veil, such as a burqa or niqab, in public buildings and on transport from yestersday as a contentious law on the garment worn by some Muslim women came into force. Between 200 and 400 women are estimated to wear a burqa or niqab in the country of 17 million people. The Dutch legislation was passed in June 2018 after more than a decade of political debate on the subject.