French Minister Laurence Rossignol Condemns Islamic Fashion

After being condemned French Minister for Familiy, Children and Women's Rights Laurence Rossignol received support
regarding her statement on Muslim women: 'Muslim women who wear veils are like 'Negroes who were in favor of slavery'.

She was questioned by French journalist Jean-Jacques Bourdin concerning the promotion of Islamic fashion by some
major brands. She responded as follows:'Surely some of them do make that choice, there were pro-slavery negroes
too. (...)I believe those women are mostly are advocating for a political Islam.'

Earlier this month, Marks and Spencer unveiled their ‘burkini’, which covers all but the wearers’ hands, feet and face, to mixed public reviews in the UK.

Other brands, such as HM, Uniqlo and Dolce and Gabbana have also promoted ‘Islamic’ fashion, with ranges of hijabs and veils in their stores across Europe.

Ms Rossignol says such items “promote the confinement of women’s bodies” and that big brand marketing puts Muslim women in a position where they feel they should be dressing a certain way.

She said there were women who would choose to cover up, but there were also “American negroes who were in favour of slavery”.

The comments caused a social media storm in France, with many calling for her to resign.

A change.org petition urging the French President to reprimand the minister has since received more than 16,000 signatures.

In 2010, France introduced a so-called burka ban, which prevents women from covering their faces in public.

The French government claim face veils present a security risk and also encroach on the freedoms of the women forced to wear them.

The law, which also bans people from covering their faces with balaclavas or hoods, was upheld by the European Court of Human Rights in 2014.