Current Affairs...In the news.

In the news recently, there has been coverage of the ban of the burka in Belgium. The burka covers the entire face and body, leaving just a mesh screen to see through.

Image reference: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8658017.stm

This current affair is relevant to my art as it focuses on the 'reveal' of the identities of a particular group of people.

The ban of the burka has transpired as a result of concerns by the Belgain government that it obscures the identity of the wearer in public places. It is the first ban of its type in Europe. 

The Belgian government has banned the veil as a result of fears over security, and to allow the police to identify people.

Nevertheless, Part II, Article 2 of The United Nations International Covenant On Cival And Political Rights (1994) states,

"Each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to respect and to ensure to all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights recognized in the present Covenant, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status."

http://www.hrweb.org/legal/cpr.html#Article1.1 

This ban has made me consider a couple of questions in relation to the notion of identity:

Women wearing the burka and other traditional Islamic clothing is a symbol of religion and faith, and those who wear it do so as an expression of their identities and beliefs. So why should women be made to be not to wear it? Is this not going against the freedom of human rights and self expression?

Also, those who wear it, do so to conceal their bodies when in the company of males (a traditional Islamic value and custom) . So by banning the wearing of the burka, coould this mean that women could be trapped and in their own homes, and within society as a result of the 'revealing' of their visual identities? 

The burka and other traditional clothing that conceals particular parts of a person may be considered as a part of their identity. So by removing this clothing, and taking this away, is this in fact taking away or removing parts from a persons identity, and the individual characteristics that contribute to who we are?

Personally, I'm not sure what I make of this decision. The wearing if the burka and other traditional clothing is a tradition amongst the Islamic tradition that has been existent for hundreds upon hundreds of years. So why has this become so much of an issue now? Is it a result of the cultural and social contexts that surrond us? But at the same time, I do appreciate the reasons as to why this ban may have come into place. It remains controversial and questionable.

It would be interesting to gain the perspective of people who this would directly affect. Something to definately pursue in relation to identity...