HRW: ...Banning the burqa (niqab) violates human rights...

PARIS-The organisation for the defence of human rights, Human Rights Watch (HWR) said Tuesday that the ban in France of full Islamic veil ...violate human rights....

•     "Banning the burqa (niqab) will not bring freedom for women,” said Director of HRW Paris, Jean-Marie Fardeau, in a statement.
  
      “This will only stigmatize and marginalize women who wear it. The freedom to express religion and freedom of conscience are fundamental rights,” he added.
  
      “Such a ban, restricting only the expression of Islam, would send a signal to many French Muslims: they are not welcome in their own country,” added the communiqué.
  
      French Members announced Tuesday the creation of an information mission of six months on this phenomenon, which remains very “marginal” in the Muslim associations.
  
      Monday, President Nicolas Sarkozy told the French MPs that the “burqa” was “not welcome in the territory of the Republic,” assimilating it to a “sign of enslavement” of women.
  
      
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.