Catalan parliament rejects far-right motion on ban on Islamic veil

The Catalan parliament has rejected a motion by far-right pro-independence party Aliança Catalana for a ban on the different forms of Islamic veil in public spaces.

The text only received the support of the conservative People's Party and far-right Vox, meaning it was defeated by a large majority. 

The debate was marked by the position of the largest pro-independence party Junts, which is also the largest opposition party. Junts defended the ban on the veil in certain cases, but rejected the bill, saying it "distilled hatred."

However, other pro-independence parties, left-leaning Esquerra Republicana and far-left CUP, both criticized Carles Puigdemont's party for "understanding the ideological framework of the far-right."

Motion text

The text from Aliança Catalana (AC), which was largely negotiated with Vox, advocated for a ban on the use of the hijab, niqab, burqa, burkini, shawl, khimar and chador, which it considers discriminatory, in public spaces or public centres.

The text also stated that "Islam is incompatible with Western values."

In her speech before the plenary, AC leader Sílvia Orriols called the veil a "prelude to barbarism."

She also said it was "the warning that everything we have built in centuries of struggle, sacrifice, and progress can be shattered in a matter of decades."

Junts' stance

Junts are in favour of banning the veil in compulsory education, as well as the burqa and niqab in all public spaces.

According to party sources, this position has been agreed by the executive, which has also conveyed to its mayors that they only allow the burkini in municipal swimming pools when it is "technical swimwear."

The party do not rule out materializing this position into legislative initiative in the long term.

Yet, they rejected the AC text on Thursday as they argue that "it distills hatred on all sides" and that "this position only generates more Catalanophobia."

Junts say they are against the full-face veil, such as the burqa or niqab, for both "security" and not to discriminate against gender.

Education minister: veil is protected by legislation

The Minister of Education in Catalonia, Esther Niubó of the ruling Socialist Party, pointed out that the veil is "protected" by legislation, and asked for the element to be distinguished from the full veil in debates on the topic.

In statements to the media, Niubó recalled that religious freedom is a "fundamental right" included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that it is not up to Parliament to regulate it.

She also explained that within the framework of the education system, there is a regulatory framework "that allows cultural and religious diversity" in schools.

Yet, this is accompanied by rules against any clothing or veil that could harm educational activity.

Junts "following" AC, other parties sayc

Gerardo Pisarello, of the left-wing Comuns, expressed his regret at the position of Junts on the matter.

He said that he "finds it hard to believe there is conviction" behind this position from Junts leader Carles Puigdemont.

"Junts is following what Aliança Catalana proposes, what the far-right thinks, and that is a tragedy for Catalonia," Pisarello said in a radio interview.

Joan Ignasi Elena of ERC also criticized Junts' position. "A state party approaches these issues from a central point of view, not from circumstantial occurrences."

Along the same lines, CUP MP Pilar Castillejo accused them of "occupying the ideological framework that benefits the far-right" and warned them that "they are feeding the monster and will end up paying for it."

Spokesperson for the Socialists, Elena Díaz, said Aliança Catalana "don't believe" that they are defending women, and criticized that "they only seek to break coexistence in Catalonia for their own benefit."

Only support from PPC and Vox

The motion only received support from the People's Party (PPC) and Vox, who found Sílvia Orriols's speech appealing to the "dignity" of women.

"It is not hatred or racism. Our duty is to defend the dignity of all women," Juan Fernández of the PPC said. "Protecting girls and women is our duty. The opposite would be betraying the public service."

Vox MP Sergio Macián denounced "the expansion of Islamism, which often hides under the guise of a religious custom."