Official Calls for Ban on Veils, Other Symbols

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Dewael called for a law to ban religious symbols in courts, schools and public offices and lauded plans for a similar ban in public schools in France.

“The government should remain neutral in all circumstances and be represented as such,” said Dewael, who is also interior minister. “That means no distinctive religious symbols or veils for police officers, judges, clerks or teachers at public schools.

“It is also clear that pupils in a public school cannot wear a veil or a distinctive religious symbol,” he added.