Monday, December 12, 2011

Canadian government to impose face veil ban during oath swearing

Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced Monday that the government is imposing a face veil ban for people swearing their oath of citizenship. This move will prohibit face coverings, such as burkas and niqabs.
On Friday, Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, stated in a press release that the government will investigate approximately 6,500 for allegedly obtaining permanent resident status or citizenship illegally. In the summer, Kenney began to revoke the citizenship of 1,800 citizens and now that has increased to 2,100.
Speaking in Montreal on Monday, Kenney declared that the government will immediately place a ban on face veils during their oath of citizenship swearing ceremony, according to CBC News. This ban will take effect immediately.
Citizenship and immigration officials will require those taking the oath to do so “openly” because, according to Kenney, it’s “public declaration that you are joining the Canadian family and it must be taken freely and openly.”
“To segregate one group of Canadians, to allow them to hide their faces, to hide their identity from us is contrary to Canada's commitment to openness and to social cohesion,” said Kenney during a press conference in Montreal, where he is visiting with various cultural groups, reports Global Montreal.
The immigration minister said he has received numerous complaints from Members of Parliament and citizenship representatives regarding face coverings because it’s hard to tell if they are actually reciting the citizenship oath – this is mandatory to become a Canadian citizen.
As of Dec. 12, 2012, Muslim women will be required to remove face veils before they swear their oath of citizenship. Department officials will inform them of the requirements and give them two warnings. Citizenship judges will be forced to enact the rules during these ceremonies.
If a person chooses not to remove their face garments, then they will remain a permanent resident and not be able to vote, run for public office or even hold some jobs. It is possible that they be deported from Canada if they commit a crime.
Kenney said women who were allowed to cover their faces was “frankly, bizarre.”
Canada is not the only country to take such measures. France stirred controversy worldwide after they imposed a public ban on face coverings in public places. Choosing to refuse could result in a ban.


Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/315989#ixzz1gLh4nBxw

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