Switzerland votes to ban face coverings in public
8 Mar, 2021 12:12 AM
3 minutes to read
A poster supporting the initiative Yes to a ban on covering the face is displayed at the village Buochs, Switzerland. Photo / AP
A poster supporting the initiative Yes to a ban on covering the face is displayed at the village Buochs, Switzerland. Photo / AP
AP
By: Geir Moulson
Swiss voters narrowly approved on Sunday (local time) a proposal to ban face coverings, both the niqabs and burqas worn by a few Muslim women in the country and the ski masks and bandannas used by protesters.
The measure will outlaw covering one s face in public places like restaurants, sports stadiums, public transport or simply walking in the street. It foresees exceptions at religious sites and for security or health reasons, such as face masks people are wearing now to protect against Covid-19, as well as for traditional Carnival celebrations.
Swiss agree to outlaw facial coverings in burka ban vote By Reuters - 08 March 2021 A poster of the initiative committee against wearing the Burka (Verhuellungsverbot) reading Stop extremism! Veil ban - Yes is seen in Zurich Switzerland on February 15 2021. Image: REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
A far-right proposal to ban facial coverings in Switzerland won a narrow victory in a binding referendum on Sunday instigated by the same group that organised a 2009 ban on new minarets.
The measure to amend the Swiss constitution passed by a 51.2-48.8% margin, provisional official results showed.
The proposal under the Swiss system of direct democracy does not mention Islam directly and also aims to stop violent street protesters from wearing masks, yet local politicians, media and campaigners have dubbed it the burka ban.
Switzerland Officially Bans The Face Veil albawaba.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from albawaba.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Swiss voters on Sunday voted narrowly to ban full face coverings in public places in a referendum which the media and campaigners have dubbed the "burqa ban".
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