Women's minister considering burka ban

[Silvia]

Women's minister considering burka ban
By David Rogers

Social Democratic (SPÖ) Women’s Minister Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek said in several media interviews today (Weds) she supported a ban on burkas or garments covering women’s bodies entirely.

She added, however, there was not problem in Austria but, if one developed, she would ban burkas in public places to see if a ban would work.

"I consider the burka as a sign of the submission of women. It greatly hinders women from finding jobs in the labour market. If more women wearing burkas appear in Austria, I will test a ban on them and enact administrative fines for women wearing them in public buildings," she said.

As for head scarves, the minister said it was up to women to decide whether to wear them even if they were also a sign of the submission of women to men.

She added that Islam was a danger to women’s rights when it led to "politically fundamentalist-oriented policies" such as the mandatory wearing of burkas.

The SPÖ had protested when People’s Party Science Minister Johannes Hahn suggested a ban on burkas last year.

Support of a ban on burkas has been growing in Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland.

Austrian Times


http://www.austriantimes.at/news/General_News/2009-12-23/19123/Women%27s_minister_considering_burka_ban

[Silvia]

How about some feedback from women. Should the governments get involved or is this something women should be allowed to decide for themselves?

[Luvwines]

[Silvia]

[Luvwines]

[Damn_Yankee]

[forest]

thats a tough one, and what with the nuns habits made it even tougher! Good comment/point.

If they wear them through their own choice, then ok, but if they are forced to then thats another topic. However, we do have to respect their ways when we travel to arabic countries, and shouldnt it work both ways? I dont know i dont want to make a formed opinion on it. We respect them and they should respect us...but the nun comment has thrown me off! This is a very difficult topic to discuss as it has many sides.

[rtchina]

About time politicians faced up to this. There is no place in a modern society for the burka which came about at a time when women were the spoils of war, not independent people with rights and responsibilities. There are, unfortunately, places in the world where this is acceptable, but just look at those countries.
As to minarets, to prove our generosity, let there be 100 minarets/mosques for every church in Saudi Arabia. How many would there be? Zero, that's just how many churches there are in SA.

By the way, can anybody tell me what the moslem world has given to the world since algebra? Oil excluded.

[mikevienna]

if they got the ban in place, who would police it and how? Would this ban also apply for Islamic tourists? Are the authorities going to stand at the airport gate and tell the deboarding passengers to take off their burkas?

[Silvia]

[kavin]

How can Nuns who are individuals committed to a deeply 'spiritual' practice be compared to main stream(!) women forced to flaunt in Burkas!! Plz show some respect & understandin 2wards Nuns.

Women in Burkas are conditioned to do so like animals in cages - No Perspective & Condemned to live like that - any argument otherwise is just an argument

If a 'normal/regular/usual' somebody is so (much) subservient to religion/culture/customs of an Ideology then they MUST go back to their land & practice it or go to a country like India (unfortunately) born secular!

Where is the need to build minarets & mosques when an average 'Muslim' civilian is roting in the deserts of SaharAsia??

Of-course Tourists & Terrorists can wear Burkas wheres the doubt? but not aspiring or potential citizens who are supposed to rather required to pledge loyalty to their 'own' people aroun!!

I was thinkin of leavin Austria for nothin next yr in 2010! but now that Hon. Minister Frau Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek is contemplating on some 'respect', 'human rights' & 'basic decency' for the Burka Clad herein, I could defer my plans to see the outcome by 2012.

If it works, then I don't mind further fine tunin my idea of integration to accept, adjust & appreciate from Indish Inglish to German Inglish

[immer]

If a male adult walked down any street, or debarked from any plane, or entered any establishment (restaurant, bank, store) covered from head to toe -- completely concealed from any means of identification --

... what would you think?

[Silvia]

[Silvia]

[immer]

[Luvwines]

Has anyone seen Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek? They should put her in a burka.

[Silvia]

Actualy, she rather favors the British Royals, maybe she is related!



She is attractive Luvwines, Not everyone takes great pictures.

[Damn_Yankee]

Not bad really. Gimme a six-pack, pint o' vodka, and an American flag...

[forest]

my question still is: that we have to respect their traditions when we go to their countries, and as women we have to put on a scarf or whatever else is necessary, out of respect. And i know this is a really had thing to discuss, but how about if they respected our way of life and didnt wear the cloaks? I honestly couldnt care less what anyone wears, but reality is that we have to respect their life and so it just goes without saying that they should also do the same for us. If we go to certain arabic countries and walk around in shorts and a t-shirt, well that would be really not ok, and there could be serious consequences. I feel a bit torn with this topic as at the end of the day its really all about acceptance, and that doesnt exist all the time, so then the rules come in and we all get thrown off a bit. Any other views on this?

[Luvwines]

She looks like she was reconstructed after flying through a windshield. Other than the complexion of death. See that nice little crucifix around her neck? They should ban those as well, at least on politicians. I find it offensive that she supports an organisation that doesn't support the equality of rights she fights for in parliament.