Does banning the burqa liberate or patronise women?

One of the thorniest issues - particularly as I am not a Muslim - is to try and write about the burqa or the niqab being worn. Some people will tell me that it's oppressive, a way of controlling women and of segregating them. In cases such as the Taliban's extreme rule over Afghanistan in the 1990s for example, that was shown to be the case and it was a horrific time for many women. But in a country like Germany or France, I wonder how many women are forced or pressured into covering up, and whether the government is violating their human rights by changing the law to tell them how to dress. My post on this from today is here http://thecagegilded.wordpress.com/2011/02/08/does-banning-the-burqa-pro... and if you are a Muslim woman who does or doesn't wear a headscarf or veil - let me know your thoughts! I'd love to hear from any one with thoughts on this difficult topic...
All the very best
Helen