In Switzerland today, the ban on women wearing burqa and hijab in public places has come into effect. According to reports, a fine of up to 1000 Swiss francs (96 thousand rupees) will be imposed for violating this law.
In this regard, the Federal Council of Switzerland announced that the start date of the ban has been fixed and violators may be fined up to 1000 Swiss francs. Let us tell you that a referendum was held in Switzerland in 2021 to ban hijab. Muslim organizations criticized it.
With the implementation of this law, Switzerland has become the 7th European country to ban women from wearing hijab or burqa in public places. Earlier, such laws were also made in Belgium, France, Denmark, Austria, Netherlands and Bulgaria.
According to the report, the Swiss government clarified that the ban on face coverings will not apply on aircraft or diplomatic and consular premises. Apart from this, face covering will also be allowed at places of worship and other holy places. The government said face coverings would be permitted for health and safety purposes, traditional customs or weather conditions.
Face coverings may also be permitted for personal security reasons related to freedom of expression and assembly, provided prior permission is granted by the responsible authority and public order is maintained. Additionally, head coverings will be permitted for artistic and entertainment as well as advertising purposes.
In September last year, Switzerland’s lower house of parliament proposed banning face coverings such as the burqa worn by some Muslim women. The National Council approved the law by a vote of 151–29. Subsequently, despite objections from centrists and the Greens, the right-wing Swiss People’s Party pushed for legislation.
The decision comes after a 2021 nationwide referendum in which Swiss voters approved a ban on face coverings, including niqabs, burqas, ski masks and bandanas often worn by protesters. The lower house vote enshrined the ban into federal law and imposed a fine of up to 1,000 francs on violators. Ticino in the south of Switzerland and the St. Gallen canton in the north are already imposing such restrictions.
Switzerland needs 100,000 signatures to propose a constitutional amendment, while 50,000 signatures can trigger a referendum on parliamentary legislation. Voting takes place after the referendum begins. Recent referendum issues include the purchase of new fighter planes and a ban on face masks.
