(Dutch News) The pending ban on face-covering clothing such as the “burqa” in public buildings will not be a priority to enforce in three of the big four Dutch cities, the Volkskrant has reported.
The legislation, which was passed in the senate in June, bans face-covering clothing on public transport, in government buildings and in schools and hospitals. Offenders risk a fine of €400.
On Friday Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema told local broadcaster AT5 she would not enforce the ban in the Dutch capital. “I don’t think it really fits in with our city,” she said. Instead, police capacity would be better used elsewhere, Halsema said.
Halsema’s comments were immediately criticised by Klaas Dijkhoff, who leads the VVD in parliament and is seen as Mark Rutte’s successor.
