Sri Lanka cabinet approves ban on Muslim face veils

Sri Lanka's cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposed ban on wearing full-face veils including Muslim niqabs in public, citing national security grounds, despite a UN expert's comment that it would violate international law.

The cabinet approved the proposal by Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera at its weekly meeting, Weerasekara said on his Facebook page.

The proposal will now be sent to the Attorney General's Department and must be approved by parliament to become law. The government holds a majority in parliament and the proposal could easily be passed.

Weerasekara has characterized veils which cover the body and face worn by some Muslim women as a sign of religious extremism and said a ban would improve national security.

Wearing of niqabs and burqas was temporarily banned in 2019 after the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks killed more than 260 people.

Two local Islamist extremist groups that had pledged allegiance to Islamic State (IS) were blamed for the attacks at six locations — two Roman Catholic churches, one Protestant church and three top hotels.

Last month, Pakistani Ambassador Saad Khattak tweeted that a ban would hurt the feelings of Muslims. The UN special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed, tweeted that a ban would be incompatible with international law and the right to free religious expression.

Muslims make up about 9% of Sri Lanka's 22 million people, with Buddhists accounting for more than 70%. Ethnic minority Tamils, who are mainly Hindus, comprise about 15%.

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