About two dozen Muslim women protested today outside the Dutch parliament against a proposed ban on the burqa, the head-to-toe Islamic robe.

Several protesters wore long robes and veils exposing only their eyes, known as a niqab, but the only person wearing a burqa was a man who was part of a Dutch television team reporting on the event.

“We live in a free country and the government cannot tell us what to do with our religion,” protest organiser Ayse Bayrak said.

“We don’t live in a dictatorship. We don’t live under the Taliban, which oppresses women.”

Hardline immigration minister Rita Verdonk is drawing up legislation banning the burqa and other clothes that cover the face in public places.

Newly-elected Labour lawmaker Samira Abbos said banning the robes was the wrong thing to do. “I think it’s better to discourage than to ban,” she said after meeting the protesters.