Women's activist group lobbies against the “burka” and balaclavas

The move comes after the wearing of the “burka” has become increasingly noticeable in densely populated areas of the island, as has that of balaclava helmets amongst gangs of young people. The lobby was clear that its demands only related to the practice in public for fear that the garments could be used to “conceal criminal intent.” The lobby expressed its concern that were the law to be broken in anyway, through assault or robbery for example, there would be no means of identifying the culprits either through closed circuit TV or by direct witness. The activists said their criticism was under no circumstances based on racial or religious differences, and insisted that their petition to Central Government was based purely on concerns over security and on the principles of social harmony in a democratic society.