French council advises against total ban on burqa

[March 30, 2010]  PARIS (AP) -- France's highest administrative body has concluded that a total ban on Islamic face-covering veils in public risks being found illegal and advises against it.

The Council of State also says in a report on the veil that even a limited ban would be difficult to enforce.

The council said Tuesday that a total ban risks violating the French Constitution as well as the European human rights convention.

Prime Minister Francois Fillon earlier this year asked the council to study the legal possibilities of the ban. A parliamentary committee has called for a partial ban on veils like the burqa.

The issue is divisive, with many conservatives such as President Nicolas Sarkozy favoring a ban, while others say women should be free to wear what they want.

[Associated Press]

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