France reignites the debate over whether a full ban on the burka should be implemented.

This week the French government has once again incited debate over whether the burka should be banned, as Jean-Françoise Copé – France’s Parliamentary Leader – spoke in favour of a veto in a French newspaper article.

Writing for an article in Paris newspaper Le Figaro, Mr Copé said the issue is not about how many women wear the burka. He wrote: “There are principals at stake: extremists are putting the republic to the test by promoting a practice that they know is contrary to the basic principles of our country.”

Earlier this year, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that “veils have no place in France” and called the full-body dress which covers the face as a “debasement of women.” Following which, he called for a debate on the issue, but reiterated: “We must not be ashamed of our values, we must not be afraid of defending them.”

Mr Copé’s article came ahead of a parliamentary panel – a 32-member commission set up after Mr Sarkozy’s comments - in which three ministers were to testify whether to enforce a full ban. According to reports, any legislation would only be enforced after a period of consultation with the Muslim community – of which France has Europe’s biggest population.

However, at the time of the President’s comments, despite receiving the support of two of the three Muslim women in the Cabinet, religious leaders reacted angrily. The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said the claim was “patronising and offensive.”

The issue has been subject to immense debate across the world. Tunisia – a Muslim country – banned the wearing of Islamic headscarves in public places in 1981. Likewise, Turkey, which has a 99% Muslim population, banned all forms of Muslim headscarves in its universities, but in 2008, protesters led to the streets when attempts to lift the ban were overruled by the Constitutional Court.

Four states in Germany have opted for the ban on teachers and other government employees from wearing Muslim headscarves and in 2005, Italian anti-terrorist laws made hiding facial features from the public – including the wearing of a burka – an offence.

When non-Muslim tourists or visitors enter countries such as Iran or Saudi Arabia – places which strictly enforce women to cover up – they are required to abide by the same standards and it is deemed unacceptable to wear minimal clothing. Although women may disagree with this, the majority tolerate it so as not to offend anyone.

An argument here is that when people who are used to wearing traditional clothing enter countries such as France, the UK or Germany, they should respect that country’s decision that a burka is not acceptable – for whatever reason the country has. It should not simply be one rule for one, and one for another.

On the other hand, should governments really ever be able to dictate what people wear? Is this something that could ever truly be enforceable in reality? And should it not be that living in a democracy, with many different religions, people are able to take the decision themselves and dress how they see fit? If the latter is the case, then women who do wear a burka or similar head dress should be doing it because it is their choice.