Denmark Launches a campaign to ban Judges wearing headscarves in Court

”There is no way we will accept this symbol of tyranny,” party spokesman Soeren Espersen said.

Three DDP party ads printed in Thursday’s newspapers were to show Muslim women dressed as judges and wearing various veils, along with the words: ”The country will be built on Sharia (Islamic) law.”

”The Muslim law is the symbol of women’s submission. This is not about ’30 grams of fabric’ but about tyranny and submission. And you as a citizen must accept to come before a judge in court dressed in the veil of tyranny. Stop it now!” the text added.

The DPP is a parliamentary ally of Denmark’s centre-right coalition government.

Muslim magistrates were authorised to wear a headscarf in courtrooms back in December, but the media only revealed the decision recently, causing a public outcry.
Justice Minister Lene Espersen said a government panel which had taken up the issue on Wednesday had decided to set up a committee to compare the Danish situation with that prevailing in other countries.

”I totally disagree with the juridical administration on the veil,” she said, adding that the decision could be invalidated by a new law.

New rules would refer to all religious symbols – including Christian crosses as well as Muslim headscarves – that could challenge the neutrality of the courts, she said.