Women arrested for wearing burqas in France... what do you think?

Think they do ban crosses....The multicultural thing isn't accepted in France like it is here. Official bodies of the State take no account of racial differences, because they believe all citizens to be equal as part of the post revolution settlement. That often translates as 'the same', so it makes it difficult to counter race discrimination which is a big problem. The State ban is for sure more about Islamophobia than women's liberation. 2 problems - State repression outdoors, sexism indoors.

No they won't be fined, nor will fancy dress goers, because they are not of a different culture to the French culture.

Claig is right. This has very little to do with women's rights as such, or indeed racism (plenty of burqa wearers are white converts). It's about the majority French culture. The legislation is a clear (if controversial) statement that the French state's view is that if you live in France, you should fit in with French culture.

If I lived in Saudi Arabia I'd expect to dress to fit in there. If a majority of people in France want this made law, it's their democratic right to vote for it.

I wonder how quicly they are going to enforce this law against people other than Muslim women. What about people going to fancy dress parties with masks on? Or cyclists wearing those face-protection thingies?
I despise all woman-hating superstitions too, but I do think this ban is just racist point-scoring against a very small, very voiceless group of women, and I can see it encouraging more niqab-wearing and unfortunately more male bullying of women, as well.

Men's ideas of control vs men's ideas of control, with women in the middle being pulled in both directions. What's new?

for the reasons EversoLagom gave above i disagree with the ban in public, entirely.

however, i do agree with banning veil wearing in some specific situations - teaching, attending school, passport interviews, border control, seeing a GP or working as a GP, most nursing jobs, the list is quite long.. and i would not expect to see a woman in bondage gear or a bikini top in the same situations.

Remember Cameron's and Merkel's recent speeches on multiculturalism. The French have always had a different philosophy to our view of multiculturalism. I think the French aim for a monoculture of Frenchness, they see all their citizens as French, rather than being parts of multi cultures.

My guess is that they would be banning crosses in public schools. Not sure about the other symbols.

Bit late for that, claig. Multiculturalism arrived in France years ago. Although I agree, the govt are sending a very clear, if misguided, message.

colditz you are easy to manipulate, ah?

computermouse - don't you think that this burka/niqab ban discussion is akin to prostitution/porn ban discussions. is it a real choice, are women willing participants of this activity and does banning actually work. everyone has their views and they are entitled to them. there are no easy answers either. i absolutely hear what you are saying and i agree that the state should not interfere, but i also think that that the practice of brainwashing someone into believing that unless they wear burka/etc they are somehow a lesser muslim (this is after telling them they are a lesser human by being a woman and should listen to the husband) is repulsive.

Me too, Colditz.

If the uk starts doing this I shall start wearing a burka. I will make my damned point that nobody should tell me what to where.

'People shouldnt dress according to someone elses dictates should they?'

I think this is about culture. I think the French government is saying that people should dress in a way that conforms to French culture. They seem to be saying that they are not in favour of multiculturalism.

Agree SGM- they very fact that a man can be punished for his wife wearing a niqab supposes that a (muslim) woman is incapable of free choice, and reinforces the idea that she is her husband's possession.

...(missed a sentence) it is a statement and not always by the burka/etc wearer.

computermouse burka/niqab/etc is not the matter of personal preference tough. it is a statement.

slhilly "bemybebe, I'd be interested to know what you think the "very real problem" is that's being solved?"

Widespread islamic view of women as substandard to men human beings. The men are not required to wear this piece of clothing. The French are not going to solve this problem by banning burkas. Unfortunately.

supersalstrawberry there are universal values (such as equality of sexes) that this country generally subscribes to which is not accepted by all. those who reject equality of sexes often give their "culture" as the reason to continue to discriminate against their women. i find it unacceptable. i make no excuses for my distaste for those cultures.