France backs partial ban on full Muslim veils in public facilities

A parliamentary inquiry also said residence cards and citizenship

should be refused to foreign women who insist on wearing them and anyone with visible signs of a "radical religious practice".

Its report contains a series of measures intended to dissuade women from wearing all-enveloping veils. But there is no call to outlaw them in private areas or in the street. The 32-member, multi-party panel heeded warnings a full ban risked being deemed unconstitutional and could even cause trouble in a country where Islam is the second-largest religion.

The language in their report is carefully chosen in an effort to avoid accusations of discrimination and the risk of offending France's estimated five million Muslims – the largest population in western Europe.

Muslim leaders have already complained the debate coupled with an ongoing discussion on French national identity has left Muslims their religion is being targeted.

The panel failed to reach a consensus, however, on whether any action, or what kind, was warranted, despite agreement that veils covering the face are not wanted in France.

Yesterday's report culminates a six-month inquiry that began after President Nicolas Sarkozy said in June veils were "not welcome" on French territory.

The veils are thought to be worn by only several thousand Muslim women who, most often, pin a "niqab" across their faces, hiding all but the eyes. Worn with a long, dark robe, such clothing is associated with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states.

The veil is widely viewed in France as a gateway to extremism, an insult to gender equality and an offence to France's secular foundation. A 2004 French law bans Muslim headscarves from primary and secondary school classrooms.

"The full veil represents in an extraordinary way everything that France spontaneously rejects," National Assembly President Bernard Accoyer said yesterday. "It's a symbol of the subjugation of women and the banner of extremist fundamentalism."

Among its 18 proposals, the commission recommends modifying the code governing asylum and foreigners residing in France to ensure refusal of a resident card to those who "manifest a radical practice of their religion." A more drastic recommendation would refuse citizenship for "failure to assimilate" to those who "manifest a radical practice of their religion."

The measure likely to upset critics and – if passed – directly affects all Muslim women who cover their faces is the proposed ban on veils in public facilities. It would be legal and "apply to all public services and therefore to public transport." Hospitals and schools would be included.

It was not immediately clear whether the government, or parliament, would take up any or all of the report's recommendations.