Lombardy in Italy bans burqas and Islamic veils following European terror attacks
Simona Bordonali said: “Whoever wants to enter a hospital in Lombardy must be recognisable and present themselves uncovered…The burqa [and the] niqab are therefore banned.”
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A northern region of Italy has amended legislation and approved a ban on wearing burqas and Islamic veils in hospitals and local government buildings, following terror attacks in Europe.
The new regulation in Lombardy, which comes into force on the first day of the New Year, marks the first time an Italian region has explicitly outlawed Islamic face coverings. Existing law in the country, dating from the 1970s, already forbids clothing that makes identification difficult in public places.
Lombardy governor Roberto Maroni, from Italy’s right-wing Northern League Party, told Il Fatto Quotidiano: “We have updated the law and now nobody with a covered face will be allowed to enter [public offices and hospitals].”
Simona Bordonali, head of security, civil protection and immigration in the region added that "serious terror attacks" in recent months had forced the region to introduce stricter security measures.
He said: “Whoever wants to enter a hospital in Lombardy must be recognisable and present themselves uncovered…The burqa [and the] niqab are therefore banned.”
But the decision in Italy’s wealthiest region has been criticised by Andrea Orlando, the country’s justice minister, who said: "Right now the last thing we need is to wave symbols about and make propaganda - a domain in which the Islamist extremists are unbeatable.”
Other leaders of Italian regions made it clear to Il Fatto Quotidiano that they would not be imitating the decision in Lombardy.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments