A poster supporting the initiative Yes to a ban on covering the face is displayed at the village Buochs, Switzerland.
GENEVA: Swiss voters on Sunday narrowly backed a ban on full face coverings in public places a decision hailed by supporters as a bulwark against radical Islam but branded as discriminatory by opponents.
Official results showed that 51.2 percent of voters, and a clear majority of federal Switzerland s cantons, supported the proposal.
The so-called anti-burqa vote came after years of debate in Switzerland following similar bans in other European countries and in some Muslim-majority states despite women in Islamic full-face veils being an exceptionally rare sight in Swiss streets.
The referendum was held despite it being extremely rare to see women in Islamic full-face veils on Swiss streets. Provisional results have shown a slight majority in favor.
7 Mar 2021
BERLIN (AP) – Swiss voters narrowly approved on Sunday 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. Authorities have two years to draw up detailed legislation.