Switzerland Passes Controversial Ban on Face Coverings, Including Burqas

By IndraStra Global News Team

Cover Image Attribute: FABRICE COFFRINI | Credit: AFP via Getty Images

On September 20, Switzerland officially adopted a nationwide ban on face coverings, including the contentious burqas worn by some Muslim women. This significant development comes on the heels of a closely-watched 2019 referendum where Swiss citizens narrowly voted in favor of prohibiting not only burqas and niqabs but also ski masks and bandannas in public spaces and private buildings accessible to the public.
The pivotal decision was made on Wednesday when the lower house of Switzerland's parliament, known as the National Council, voted overwhelmingly in favor of the legislation, with 151 votes for and only 29 against. The bill had already received approval from the upper house and was championed by the right-wing populist Swiss People's Party. Despite initial reservations voiced by centrists and members of the Green Party, the legislation successfully passed, signifying a significant ideological shift in Swiss politics.
The roots of this contentious ban trace back to a national referendum held two years ago. During this landmark vote, Swiss citizens narrowly endorsed the prohibition of face coverings, encompassing niqabs (which leave slits for the eyes), burqas, and masks and bandannas, typically worn by protesters. The referendum set the stage for the current legislation that has now been codified into federal law.
The newly enacted law mandates a fine of up to 1,000 Swiss francs (approximately $1,100) for individuals found in violation of the ban. It imposes restrictions on covering the nose, mouth, and eyes in both public spaces and private buildings accessible to the public, albeit with some exceptions. While the ban affects a relatively small portion of the population, given the limited number of women in Switzerland who wear full face coverings like burqas, it carries significant cultural and political implications.
Switzerland is one of many European nations to implement such a ban. Prior to this decision, two Swiss cantons, southern Ticino and northern St. Gallen, had already enacted similar laws at the regional level. This latest national legislation aligns Switzerland with countries such as Belgium and France, both of which have previously introduced comparable measures to address concerns related to public safety and cultural assimilation.
The ban has sparked heated debates across Switzerland and garnered international attention, reigniting discussions about individual freedoms, religious expression, and societal integration. Supporters of the ban argue that it promotes transparency, security, and social cohesion. At the same time, opponents view it as an infringement on religious freedom and an unjust targeting of a specific cultural and religious group.
As Switzerland grapples with the aftermath of this polarizing decision, it remains to be seen how the ban on face coverings will affect the nation's cultural landscape and social fabric. The debate surrounding this legislation underscores the challenges that many Western nations continue to face in striking a balance between security concerns and the preservation of individual liberties in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.

IndraStra Global is now available on
Apple News, Google News, Flipboard, RSS, and Feedly

COPYRIGHT: This article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

REPUBLISH: Republish our articles online or in print for free if you follow these guidelines. https://www.indrastra.com/p/republish-us.html