German Interior Minister Calls for Partial Ban on Wearing Burqas

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere called on Friday for the introduction in the country of a partial ban on wearing burqas, Islamic clothing covering the entire face of a woman.

BERLIN (Sputnik) — The minister noted that burqas covering the face "are not suitable for our open country."

"We are united in the fact that we want it to be prescribed legally — show your face where it is necessary to live in our society: in the tax agency, in government offices, registry offices, schools and universities, at the civil service and in court," Maiziere told the ZDF broadcaster following a two-day meeting with colleagues from the federal states.

In May 2015, the Dutch government approved a ban on burqas in some public places, including education and health care institutions, government buildings and on public transport. A similar ban on face coverings in public places has been in place in France since 2011.