Latvia to introduce burqa ban

Latvia will introduce a ban on the traditional Islamic clothes that cover the face when in public, Latvian Justice Minister Dzintars Rasnacs said on Monday.

"Such a ban will be introduced. The respective draft decision has been already worked out. We chose out of two concepts," the minister told the local LNT television.

"The first is to ban wearing clothes covering face only in certain places, including the state or educational ones. The second is to ban wearing burqa in all public places. The second concept was finally approved," he said.

The ban is yet to be approved by the Latvian government, Rasnacs said. "This ban is needed not to ensure public order and security, but to protect Latvia’s cultural values, our common public and cultural space, and each individual," the politician said.

Latvia has earlier agreed to host 531 migrants from the Middle East and African countries in the next two years who will arrive in Baltic state from Italy and Greece. Some 15 million euros, including 8.5 million from the state budget and the rest from the EU funds, will be spent on their accommodation.