Switzerland may soon join the list of European nations to ban full-face coverings, including niqabs and burqas from most public spaces. As per the CNN report, the controversial referendum regarding the ban on face coverings in public has been cleared with 52.21 percent of the vote.
What does it mean?
According to the new law, full-face coverings are banned from public places including streets, public offices, public transport, restaurants and shops. However, exceptions will be made for places of worship, sacred sites, and for health and safety reasons. It is to be noted that no exceptions will not be made for tourists. Also Read: Happy International Women's Day 2021: Inspiring Quotes By Women Around The World
The referendum has seen strong opposition by religious groups, human rights groups as well as the federal government.
The proposal presented by several groups including the right-wing Swiss People's Party, however, does not mention Islam specifically and has become known as the "burqa ban" in Swiss media.
As per Aljazeera, around 1,426,992 voters have voted in favour of the ban, while 1,359,621 were against, on a 50.8 percent turnout. The referendum comes amid the Swiss Federal Council, which serves as the country's federal government, and the Swiss Parliament opposing the initiative asking people to refrain from supporting the law.
The referendum has come after raging debate in Switzerland following similar bans in other European countries even as the sight of Muslim women wearing full-face veils is exceptionally sight in the country.
Two Swiss cantons -- St Gallen and Ticino -- have already introduced a ban on full facial coverings in the past, according to the Federal Government's website.
Which countries have banned burqa in Europe?
It is to be noted that partials bans and local bans of face coverings are already imposed in several European countries, including France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark. In fact, France became the first to ban burqas and niqabs in public spaces in 2011.