The Prefect of Hérault, Hugues Moutouh, is determined to enforce the law. This is reported by Midi Libre, following a press release issued by the prefecture of Montpellier on Monday October 4. The purpose of this press release? Simply to remind people of and to enforce the law.
In this case, it is the law of October 11, 2010, which states that “no one may wear clothing intended to cover his or her face in public spaces”. In short, a law against the wearing of the Islamic full-face veil.
Indeed, the prefecture notes that “several young women have recently been spotted in the centre of Montpellier wearing a full veil that did not cover their eyes”. And to recall the 2010 law: “The prefect would like to remind you that according to the provisions of the law, it is forbidden to wear clothing that covers the face, such as a burqa or a niqab, in public places”. The local authority warns that controls will be carried out and violations of the law will be punished with a fine of up to 150 euros.
The reason given in the press release for the sudden increase in the wearing of full-face veils is the hypothesis that “persons close to extremist separatist Islamist movements have taken advantage of the obligation to wear masks in public spaces due to the health situation to wear full-face veils”.
In the meantime, the prefect refuses any link with current political developments, in particular with the political proposals of the possible candidate for the next presidential elections, Éric Zemmour.