Germany could become the next European country to ban face veils under a proposal announced on Friday by officials in the ruling coalition.
The officials intend to have the face veils banned in public places where identification is required -- such as registry offices, schools, kindergartens and government offices -- saying that they did not fit in with Germany's society.
"Full-face veils, we reject this. Not just the burqa," said Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere at a press conference held by members of the Christian Democratic Union and their allied Christian Social Union, which govern in a coalition.
"It does not fit into our society... this is why we demand that you show your face," de Maiziere said.
The proposed partial ban is to promote security and national cohesion, de Maziere said, denying that plans for the ban were to appease the increasingly popular right-wing AFD party.
"Full-face veils, we reject this. Not just the burqa," said Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere at a press conference held by members of the Christian Democratic Union and their allied Christian Social Union, which govern in a coalition.
"It does not fit into our society... this is why we demand that you show your face," de Maiziere said.
The proposed partial ban is to promote security and national cohesion, de Maziere said, denying that plans for the ban were to appease the increasingly popular right-wing AFD party.
Germany's proposal follows similar bans in France, Belgium and Switzerland.
In April 2011, France became the first European country to ban wearing in public the burqa, a full-body covering that includes mesh over the face, and the niqab, a full-face veil with an opening for the eyes.
Those breaking the law face fines of 150 euros (about $205) or public service duties.
The law was upheld by the European Convention on Human Rights in 2014 after a 24-year-old woman brought the case to court, claiming it infringed on her religious freedom.
The government also previously banned Muslim headscarves and other "conspicuous" religious symbols in French schools, in February 2004.
The laws have been criticized by religious freedom advocates but supported by others who see the Islamic veil as demeaning to women and inconsistent with France's rigorously enforced secularism.