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In a major blow to the Muslim community in Switzerland, the lower house of the parliament voted in favour of the burqa ban on Wednesday. This was the final legislative passage of a ban on face coverings, such as the burqas, worn by some Muslim women. A fine of up to 1,000 francs (about $1,100) has also been set for violators. The National Council voted 151-29 in favor of the legislation, which had already been approved by the Senate. The referendum was passed by the right-wing, populist Swiss People’s Party and easily overcame reservations expressed by the centrists and the Greens.
This Swiss law now prohibits people from covering their noses, mouths and eyes in both public spaces and private buildings which are accessible to the public, with some exceptions such as places of worship.
Few women in Switzerland wear full face coverings like the burqa, which is perhaps best known as the garment worn in Afghanistan.
In 2021, Swiss voters narrowly approved the proposal to ban face coverings, both the niqabs and burqas worn by a few Muslim women in the country. After which protesters took to the streets wearing ski masks and bandannas.
‘Useless, Racist and Sexist’
Several feminist organisations had opposed the ban when it was up to the public to vote for. Ines El-Shikh, spokeswoman for the Purple Headscarves feminist Muslim women’s group, said that it was useless, racist and sexist.
“In 2021, it is unacceptable for the Swiss constitution to have an article proscribing or prohibiting women from wearing whatever they want,” she told AFP.
“A burqa ban is not done for women, but against them. Whether we’re in a mini-skirt, a burqa or topless, what we want is to be able to choose for ourselves.”
The national legislation will put Switzerland in line with countries such as Belgium and France that have enacted similar measures.
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