Who would say that a European country where cultural differences prevail with three different languages, three different governments and many foreign communities, would be one of the first European nations banning the use of niqab and burqa (the Islamic veils covering the face) in public places?

Major parties have supported the proposal, but Muslim women living in the country feel that the law goes against human and citizen rights, forbidding Muslim women to dress as they like.

The question of the wear of the full face-veil is deeply controversial across the European Union and the issue has been strongly debated in French Assembly, where a draft bill will be examined in May, but Belgium can be the first country to impose a law.

"I am proud that Belgium would be the first country in Europe which dares to legislate on this sensitive matter," the centre-right MP Denis Ducarme said.

Daniel Bacquelaine, the liberal MP who proposed the bill, said: "We cannot allow someone to claim the right to look at others without being seen.

“It’s about living together. If you have the possibility to see my face, I should be able to see yours,” explained Belgium MP Xavier Baeselen

Supporters say the legislation is critical for social integration, but the problem is that this law will restrain many Muslim women and obligate them to stay at home and not having a job if they choose to dress with a niqab or a burqa. Because anyone in a public place "with face covered or disguised in whole or in part to the extent that she cannot be identified" is liable to incur the penalties that go up to seven days in prison.

There are currently around 500,000 Muslims living in Belgium – mostly in Brussels and Antwerp – but very few women wear the full veil, and consequently there has been almost no debate on this matter, but the ban should also be seen as a restriction that is going further in the future. Many Muslim women are afraid that they can be prohibited of using a normal headscarf covering their hair.

The Human Rights Watch already criticized Belgium for planning to impose a ban on wearing veil, saying it violates the fundamental rights to freedom of religion.

In the end, everything is on stand by, because the political chaos has returned to Belgium. Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme went to King Albert to demand his government’s resignation, after an emergency  meeting. Flemish liberal party decided to withdraw from the country's ruling coalition today, reigniting a nationwide crisis that is dividing the French and Dutch-speaking parts of the country since national elections held three years ago.