(1 Aug 2018) Protesters took to the streets of Copenhagen as a ban on garments covering the face, including Islamic veils such as the niqab or burqa, came into effect on Wednesday.
Hundreds of people joined the demonstration, many covering their faces with imaginative masks to protest the law.
Danish lawmakers approved the law in May, which was presented by the centre-right governing coalition that is known for tightening asylum and immigration rules in recent years.
In 2016, Denmark also adopted a law requiring newly arrived asylum-seekers to hand over valuables such jewellry and gold to help pay for their stays in the country.
Martin Henriksen, a spokesman for the Danish People's Party, said that his party wanted to take a stand against "political Islam" and "fundamentalist groups" by banning the niqab.
Rasmus Nordkvist, a spokesman for the Danish The Alternative party, said that the law was the "totally wrong direction to go in", adding that it played into a kind of legal symbolism that was also apparent elsewhere in Europe.
Other European countries have similar bans, claiming they are not aimed at any religion in particular, and don't ban headscarves, turbans or the traditional Jewish skull cap.
Popularly known as the "Burqa Ban," it is mostly seen as being directed at the niqab and burqa.
Few Muslim women in Denmark wear such full-face veils.
The law allows people to cover their face when there is a "recognizable purpose" like cold weather or complying with other legal requirements, such as using motorcycle helmets required under Danish traffic rules.
First-time offenders risk a fine of 1,000 kroner (157 US dollars ).
Repeat offences could trigger fines of up to 10,000 kroner (1,570 US dollars) or a jail sentence of up to six months.
Anyone forcing a person to wear garments covering the face by using force or threats can be fined or face up to two years in prison.
Austria, France and Belgium have similar laws.
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