Paris: France`s Prime Minister said on Wednesday
he would sign a decree refusing French nationality to a man
who forced his wife to wear the full Islamic veil because he
"has no place in our country."
The case has arisen amid a fierce national debate
about what it means to be French, with the government seeking
to legislate for a ban on the head-to-toe burqa on the grounds
that it is incompatible with French values.
Prime Minister Francois Fillon told Europe 1 radio
that he would sign the decree issued by Immigration Minister
Eric Besson.
"It`s French law," Fillon said. "The civil code has
for a very long time provided that naturalisation could be
refused to someone who does not respect the values of the
(French) republic.
"This case is about a religious radical: he imposes
the burqa, he imposes the separation of men and women in his
own home, and he refuses to shake the hands of women.
"If this man does not want to change his attitude, he
has no place in our country. In any case, he does not deserve
French nationality."
The man`s name and nationality have not been made
public, although Fillon said his wife was French and she could
continue to wear the full veil, if she wants, pending
legislation.
PTI
