Belgian Christians divided over banning of Muslim burqa

Warsaw, Poland, July 25 (ENInews)--Christian organizations in Belgium have
had mixed reactions to a criminal code amendment making the country
Europe's second to ban the Islamic veil, or burqa.

"We're against this ruling, since it violates basic human rights," said
Kristine Jansone, general secretary of the Brussels-based Ecumenical Youth
Council in Europe. "Although I can't speak on behalf of all our
member-groups, I think it's the general consensus we should oppose a measure which
will
clearly impede the free practice of religion."

The new Code provision, approved on 28 April, imposes fines of 137.50
Euros and jail terms of up to a week for women caught wearing the burqa in
public.