Italian Panel Passes Draft Law Banning Veils

An Italian parliamentary commission on Tuesday approved a draft law banning women from wearing veils that cover their faces in public.

The draft passed by the constitutional affairs commission would prohibit women from wearing a burqa, naqib or any other garb that covers the face in such circumstances. Third parties who force women to cover their faces in public would be fined 30,000 euros ($43,000) and face up to 12 months in jail, the news agency ANSA said. (AP)