Reform 'fanning the flames of division' over burqa ban debate
Stand Up To Racism accuses party of ‘weaponising women’s lives’
Reform UK has been accused of “fanning the flames of division” and “misogyny” over calls to ban the burqa in Scotland.
Stand Up To Racism said the party is “weaponising women’s lives” by leading a Holyrood debate on the issue on Thursday evening. Campaigners are planning to protest outside the Scottish Parliament while the debate happens inside.
Talat Yaqoob, co-convener of Women Against the Far Right, said: “Muslim women, women of colour and migrant women are experiencing an increase in hate crime across Scotland, we are seeing more attempts to spread disinformation and division, and actions like this calling for a burqa ban only fan the flames of division.
“Whether you force women what to wear or force them not to wear something - both are forms of misogyny.
“This is another obvious attempt to weaponise women’s lives to spread division and we will not stand for it.
“Anyone who truly cares about women’s lives would be calling for improved social housing, tackling poverty and funding frontline services, not instigating a culture war and making Muslim women a target.”
The title of Mr Kerr’s members’ business debate is on “face coverings in public places”, but it will ask MSPs to “note the ongoing debate across Scotland, and particularly in Glasgow, regarding the wearing of full-face coverings, including the burqa and niqab, in public places”.
A niqab is a veil that covers the face and head, but leaves an area around the eyes clear. A burqa is a one-piece veil that covers the whole face and body, often with just a mesh screen over the eyes to see through.
Mr Kerr will also say that “a number of European countries have introduced restrictions” and will ask the Scottish Government to “set out its full assessment of the potential benefits of introducing further restrictions on full-face coverings in public places, including consideration of public safety, individual liberty and community cohesion”.
A number of European countries have either banned or restricted the wearing of burqas and other full-face veils in public spaces in recent years. This includes France, Belgium, Bulgaria, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal and Italy.
Reform UK has been approached for comment.
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