European court backs Belgian face veil ban

European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Belgium's ban on face veils, does not violate the European Convention on Human Rights.

It was a ruling in a case brought by two women who wanted to wear the hijab veil, which covers all but the eyes.

The court agreed that the ban sought to guarantee the concept of "living together" and the "protection of the rights and freedoms of others".

The court came to a similar judgement on Tuesday in the case of a Belgian woman who was contesting a bylaw brought in by three Belgian municipalities in 2008 that also banned face veils.

Belgian government had approved the ban in 2011, on the grounds of security, to allow police to identify people, although some also argued the veil was a symbol of the oppression of women.

UCJ, UNILORIN.