First woman charged for wearing niqab in Denmark

A 28-year-old woman was charged on Friday with wearing a full-face veil in public in Denmark, two days after the new law came into effect.

The new law does not mention niqabs or burkas specifically but says that “anyone who wears a garment that hides the face in public will be punished with a fine".

The fine for a first offence is DKK 1,000.

A spokesperson for the Danish police told newspaper Politiken that they do not wish to cause any commotion with the new law.

“When we see someone wearing a niqab or a burka in public, we ask them to either take it off or go home.”

The new law, which came into force on Wednesday, has provoked protests from human rights groups.

See also: Majority vote for ‘burka ban’ in Danish Parliament

See also: Denmark passes burqa ban

Translated by prosa.fo