In the Canadian province of Quebec yesterday, a trial court again blocked the province's anti-niqab law from taking effect. The law bans the both those furnishing government services, and those receiving them, from doing so with their face covered. (See
prior posting.) According to
Reuters:
A judge in December suspended the ban until the provincial government crafted regulations. The completed regulations, which included arrangements for individuals to obtain religious exemptions, were poised to take effect on Sunday.
But another judge on Thursday deemed the new rules confusing and ambiguous and suspended implementation again while the court challenge goes ahead.
Quebec Superior Court Judge Marc-Andre Blanchard wrote in his ruling that the law appeared on its face to violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, adding it could cause Muslim women “irreparable harm.”
