France – immigration – burka debate

French immigration minister says burkas not compatible with national identity

Article published on the 2009-10-26 Latest update 2009-10-27 10:23 TU

A woman wears a Burka in London.
(Photo: fabbio CC-by-sa-2.0)

Wearing a burka is “contrary” to French values, Immigration Minister Eric Besson said in an interview Sunday. Less than a week after deporting three Afghans back to Kabul, Besson has again provoked the anger of opposition members by asserting that French culture is being lost on newcomers.

“I want to launch a major debate over national values and identity,” Besson said, explaining that immigrants should be required to have a better mastery of the French language, of French history and culture. This was “to reaffirm the values of identity and the pride of being French,” he said.

Besson was clear, saying that the burka is “inacceptable” in France, but said that a law banning it in public was probably not necessary.

Defending the government’s expulsion of three Afghans last week, Besson said that he doesn’t intend to stop this practice and “will meet the objectives set out for me” of 27,000 deportations this year.

21,000 undocumented immigrants have already been deported from France this year.