Belgium’s recent decision to ban the burka has stirred the interest of some similarly inclined European countries, even as it has wreaked the ire of the human rights group Amnesty international, The Vancouver Sun reported.

On Thursday night Belgium’s parliament voted to prohibit the burka, which covers  a woman’s entire face and body, and leaves just slits for the eyes.  The face veil niqab is also banned.  The measure, which was approved by a 136 to zero votes with two abstentions, is intended to help fight terrorism.

In passing the measure, it was noted that the burka and niqab permit full concealment of one’s identity.  It was also hoped that the ban will help to exercise equal rights for men and women, ABC News reported.

The Vancouver Sun said that some members of Belgium’s parliament noted that the veils are a symbol of the oppression of women in some Islamic societies.  There are half a million Muslims in Belgium, most of who do not wear the burka or the niqab.  OneIndia reported that the ban is expected to affect perhaps 100 women.

It will be imposed primarily in areas intended for public use such as streets, parks, sport arenas and buildings.  Women who do not follow the ban may be charged 22 pounds and be jailed for a week, OneIndia reported.

Belgium is the first country to ban the burka and the niqab.  However this may start a domino effect as France President Nicolas Sarkozy introduced a similar ban to start in September.  Legislation is also being introduced and/or considered to ban the burka in Italy, Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland, according to the Vancouver Sun.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International has expressed displeasure at Belgium’s new legislation saying that it is a discriminatory and dangerous precedent because it obstructs women’s rights to freedom of expression and religion.

Another group, Human Rights Watch expressed doubt that banning the burka and niqab would protect public safety, much less the rights of Muslim women, OneIndia reported.

The law must now be ratified by Belgium’s senate, but it is possible that such may not go through before mid-June, when parliament dissolves for elections.  Meanwhile, some cities are already imposing a ban on the burka through their local councils.  In the capital city Brussels, 29 women were fined for wearing the burka.