A controversial Dutch lawmaker has urged the country’s parliament to pass a law to fine women who wear Islamic head coverings.
Geert Wilders said women observing the Islamic dress code or Hjiab should be fined 1,000 euros (1,461 dollars) per year. The leader of the liberal-right Freedom Party PVV made his remarks during a parliamentary debate about the government’s budget plans on Wednesday.
“Everyone who wants to wear a headscarf, should first apply for a headscarf license,” DPA quoted Wilders as saying. He added the fine, which he called a “head rags tax,” was meant to “demotivate” people to wear Muslim attire.