Danish Government Will Ban Judges From Wearing Religious Garb or Symbols

Denmark's government, reacting to pressure from the anti-Muslim Danish People's Party, says it will ban Danish judges from wearing headscarves and other religious or political symbols in their courtrooms. The ban will also extend to crucifixes worn by Christians, skull caps worn by Jewish judges and turbans worn by Sikhs. However the ban is seen as mainly directed toward Muslims, and, according to BBC News, Danish diplomats in Muslim countries expect the decision to lead to a new wave of protests. Danish Justice Minister Lene Espersen, however, says the ban is intended to assure that judges appear neutral and impartial. (See prior related posting.)