The European Court of Human Rights
on Tuesday upheld France's controversial ban on the wearing of
Muslim full-face veils in public.
French law says nobody can wear clothing intended to
conceal the face in a public space .
The penalty for doing is a 150-euro fine or obligatory
citizenship instruction.
The Strasbourg court upheld the ban by rejecting a case
brought by 24-year-old French woman, who argued it violated her
freedom of religion and expression.
Around five million Muslims live in France although only a
tiny minority of women there wear full veils.
Human rights organization Amnesty International criticised
the decision.
"This ruling will end up forcing a small minority to live
apart, as it effectively obliges women to choose between the
expressing their religious beliefs and being in public," said
John Dalhuisen, Europe and Central Asia Programme Director at
Amnesty International.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
