In responding to the question below, keep in mind that according to the Western conception of democracy, which both Turkey and France claim to uphold, government should treat all citizens with dignity and respect, which includes protection of their freedom of belief and expression and which also prohibits government from giving supremacy to one religion over others.
Some people feel that the niqab, hijab, and other body coverings prevent women from being part of the modern world. In Turkey, women are forbidden by law from covering their heads in universities and in government offices (although recently many universities have declined to enforce this ban, and the education ministry says it will back any student who choses to flout the ban). In France, it is against the law for a woman to wear a full-face veil in public, and anyone doing so risks a fine and mandatory instruction in citizenship. Anyone found guilty of forcing a woman to cover her face is also subject to a 30,000-euro fine. Several countries or other political entities in Europe have adopted or considered similar legislation.
Do you agree with what these governments are doing? Why or why not?