Covered faces in Dutch parliament in quest for legitimacy

For those who still do not understand these metaphors: It is when a country’s core values ​​of freedom and democracy are eroded by a slow movement of conquest, such as a burqa in a the Dutch national assembly, the so-called heart of democracy.

The symbolism it represents is the same as posting a swine’s head on the front door of a mosque, writes GeenStijl, a Dutch website reporting insider political news. Fortunately, the burqa ban currently before parliament in the Hague, is likely to win a majority vote.

Only the “extreme-white” – as they are jokingly called because they have mainly white leaders – far-left parties GroenLinks and D66 are against the burqa ban. Like the conquerors, they denigrate and erase women’s rights and their country’s own history.

The ban on face-covering clothing can rely on a parliamentary majority consisting of the VVD, PvdA, CDA, SP, PVV, Christian Union and the Group Bontes/Van Klaveren and would apply to public transport, education, healthcare and government buildings.

But during the parliamentary debate this week some niqab-wearers were allowed into the parliament building despite the clear rules of the House prohibiting veiled individuals from entering. The rules were ignored it seems in a quest for gaining some legitimacy.

An MP from the Bontes/Van Klaveren group addressed the niqab-wearers. “I think it’s good that we put an end to this silliness. It’s not a face. Literally.” But the far-left objected. “These are guests of the House, which must be treated with respect.” Van Klaveren said then that he finds it rather disrespectful that people wearing a niqab should sit in parliament.

A Green MP, Linda Voortman made it clear that they would fight the ban on the burqa because “it solves a problem that does not exist”. The Turkish MP from the Group Kuzu Öztürk said the ban went against the freedom of religion and that the government was improperly interfering with “women’s rights”. He said: “The state would does not have to be a feminist.” He called the ban a toxic measure.

The parties in parliament against the burqa have a majority of 54 of the 75 seats in the Senate, while GroenLinks and D66 are trailing behind.

Actiegroep:'Blijf van mijn niquaab af!' Zit demonstratief op de publieke tribune, maar mag niet met de pers praten. #boerkaverbod pic.twitter.com/ha7AALHw3K

— Ernst Lissauer (@ErnstLissauer) November 23, 2016

Prachtig intersectioneel-feministisch plaatje, dit. De vrijgevochtenheid dampt er vanaf. #boerkaverbod pic.twitter.com/QZGdzUvJWA

— Arnout Maat (@Arnout_Maat) November 23, 2016