Govt's face ban targets Muslim women who wear the veil : Human Rights Watch

Global Rights group Human Rights Watch have claimed the ban on face coverings disproportionately restricts the rights of women who wear the burqa orniqab, a veil leaving only the eyes visible while adding that it further adds to stigma against Muslims.

Issuing a statement it said  : "For Muslim women who feel uncomfortable being uncovered in public, a ban can cut off access to public transit, education, employment, and social services, isolating them and barring them from opportunities to be part of society and benefit from critical services.

Further it said "The ban also adds to stigma against Muslims, who have already reported feeling threatened in Sri Lanka, a majority-Buddhist country, after the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attacks and authorities identified the perpetrators as members of a domestic Muslim militant group. Angry crowds have threatened and assaulted mostly Muslim refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom have been evicted from their homes.

No clear links have emerged between face coverings, including face veils, and the attacks. Authorities could implement less restrictive security measures such as allowing covered women to unveil in private spaces for checks by female security officers. Just as women should not be forced to wear the niqab, burqa or other religious dress, nor should they be punished for choosing to do so. Laws that do either are discriminatory. 

Rather than targeting Muslim women who wear the veil, Sri Lanka’s government should focus on investigating those responsible for the bombings and bringing them to justice."