Evans, Malcolm Paul, 1945-: The two sides of the French burqa debate. 15 April 2011

Text reads 'The two sides of the French burqa debate'. Underneath the text stand two women who furiously shout at each other, each holds an identical banner that reads 'Liberte, egalite, fraternite'. The difference is that one of the women wears a burqa and the other wears conventional casual clothing with no head covering. Context - On 11 April 2011 in France a new ban on wearing the burka in public came into force. French women now face fines and 'civic duty' guidance if they break the law, men who force their wives or daughters to wear burkas will face up to a year in prison, and fines of up to £25,000. French police said they will be enforcing the country's new burka ban "extremely cautiously" because of fears of provoking violence. Most of the women concerned by this law wear a niqab veil that reveals only their eyes, as opposed to a burqa, the full body covering worn by Afghan women. Many of the women believe this is about basic fundamental human rights and freedoms and some have held peaceful protests for the right "to dress as they please"... (Telegraph 11 April 2011 and Guardian 10 April 2011)

Colour and black and white versions available

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Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).