The Women’s Union of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has proposed a nationwide ban on full face veils in public spaces, targeting burkas, niqabs, and similar garments. The initiative, to be presented at the CDU Federal Party Congress at the end of February, is intended to promote women’s self-determination and oppose any form of forced veiling.
Security concerns are also cited, as the identifiability of individuals in public spaces is important for preventing danger, supporting police work, and ensuring the functioning of state institutions.
Zemfira Dlovani, leader of the Women’s Union, emphasized that full veiling is practiced by only a small number of radical currents and is not mandatory in Islam. She argued that “an open face is the basis of an open society and mutual respect,” and stressed that the ban would reinforce women’s rights and societal cohesion, adding. “
For us, this has nothing to do with religious freedom.
Supporters also cited similar regulations in other European countries, noting that Denmark, France, and Austria have already introduced restrictions.
In Austria, for example, a law prohibits headscarves in schools for girls under 14, with violations triggering meetings with authorities and fines ranging from €150 to €800, or in severe cases, up to two weeks in prison.
The proposal faces opposition from the SPD women’s group. Carmen Wegge, chairwoman of the SPD women and legal policy spokeswoman for the SPD parliamentary group, said a full veil ban would limit women’s self-determination:
It is important that women can live independently and freely, without being patronized or pressured.
Even if the motion is adopted at the CDU party congress, a corresponding law would require approval from its coalition partner.
