The EU rapporteur for Dansk Folkeparti, Kenneth Kristensen Berth, proposes to ban face-covering head garments, such as burkas and niqabs, in Denmark – for security reasons.
Berth is inspired by Germany’s interior minister, Thomas de Maizière, who has announced the ban of burkas will be part of his new reform package, ‘Increased Security for Germany’.
“I think this is the right thing to do, and it is good there is someone who is following in France’s footsteps,” Berth told Metroxpress.
“We should do the same here in Denmark, and it’s just about setting it in motion as soon as possible.”
READ MORE: Denmark may enact French burqa ban
Disguise for suicide bombers
In September 2010, France was the first country in Europe to outlaw Islamic face veils and other face-covering headgear in public places. Belgium and the Netherlands followed suit soon after.
DF pushed for a burka ban in 2004, 2009 and 2014, but none of the proposals were passed.
“No-one could possibly convince me that anyone would wear such a garment voluntarily,” noted Berth, who believes burkas represent female oppression, but can also be used to disguise suicide bombers.
“There are several examples, primarily from the Middle East, where people dressed in burkas were suicide bombers,” said Berth.
“It is only a matter of time before [similar incidents] take place in Europe. The only reason it has not happened yet is that burkas attract attention here.”
According to Copenhagen University, there were about 100-200 women wearing Islamic face-covering garments in Denmark in 2009.
Berth fears the number has increased since then and, if the trend continues, it will be more difficult to detect potential terrorists.
