Yes, it IS oppressive, but I think covering your face should be allowed in the Western world as long it is not forceful, but voluntary. What if a person wants to hide from the CCTV oppression and slavery? Should we just put up with being filmed while walking down the street and in supermarkets? Shoplifting and crimes haven't diminished at all since the introduction of CCTV.

A lot of Western women would actually make good use of face veil to their advantage if they had the chance, e.g. when going out with other men, when wanting to hide black spots/acne/etc, when going somewhere where their family shouldn't be able to recognize them. Every person has their little secrets, you know...

I agree that the forceful wearing should stop though! Everything should be voluntary.