By David Sophrin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe
NANTES, France – A French citizen was fined earlier this month for operating a automobile in the city of Nantes on the grounds that the niqab she was wearing impaired her vision.
The women, whose identity has not been disclosed, was fined 22 euros for wearing a niqab while driving. A niqab is a veil that leaves only the area around the eyes uncovered. Following the incident, the woman stated that the fine was not warranted. “My eyes were not covered [by the niqab]. I can see just like you, and my field of vision was not obstructed.”
The police, however, concluded that the fine was appropriate since it was determined that veil would prevent her from having a complete line of vision while driving.
This arrest brings further attention to the national debate over a proposed law offered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy that would forbid any woman from wearing a full veil while in public. Sarkozy has stated in the past that he believes the veil is discriminatory towards women and does not respect the values of French culture.
Jean-Michel Pollono, the lawyer for the women who was fined, stated that “this fine is not justified on road safety grounds and constitutes a breach of human and women’s rights.” He also noted that other headwear, despite also diminishing a driver’s line of sight, has not been banned. “If the veil is forbidden behind the wheel, then nuns should not be able to drive, and full helmets for motorcyclists should be banned, because you can’t see on the sides, and even some police units who drive with masks should be fined.”
The woman said that she believed the actions of the police were motivated in part by discrimination. There are also concerns that Sarkozy’s proposed legislation would give French law enforcement broad authorities to discriminate against France’s minority Muslim population and immigration groups in general.
The proposed ban on niqabs is set to be introduced in the national parliament next month. Some political observers have stated that Sarkozy, who has recently been struggling in national approval polls, is pushing for this ban as part of a broader political effort to portray him as a protector of French culture. Regional elections are being held this month.
For more information, please see:
WASHINGTON POST – Suspicion of polygamy stokes France’s veil debate – 25 April, 2010
AP – Driver wearing Islamic face veil fined in France – 24 March, 2010
IRISH TIMES – Veiled French driver fined fro not having clear field of vision – 24 April, 2010
BBC – French police fine Muslim driver for wearing veil – 23 April, 2010
THE GLOBE AND MAIL – French police fine women for driving while veiled – 23 April, 2010
REUTERS – Veil Leads to Fine for French Driver – 23 April, 2010
