The lower house of Switzerland's parliament voted Wednesday to grant final legislative approval to a ban on...
Digital Desk: The lower house of Switzerland's parliament voted Wednesday to grant final legislative approval to a ban on face coverings, such as the burqas used by some Muslim women.
The National Council voted 151-29 in favor of the legislation, which had already been adopted by the upper chamber. It was pushed through by the right-wing, populist Swiss People’s Party, easily overcoming reticence expressed by centrists and the Greens.
The move follows a statewide referendum two years ago in which Swiss voters narrowly approved prohibiting niqabs, which leave slits for the eyes, burqas, ski masks, and bandannas, all of which are used by some protesters.
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With the lower house vote, parliament cemented the restriction in federal law and imposed a fine of up to 1,000 francs (about $1,100) on violators.
The law prohibits covering the nose, mouth, and eyes in both public and private buildings accessible to the public, with limited exceptions.
Few women in Switzerland wear full-face coverings such as burqas, which are generally known as Afghanistan garb.
Similar laws already exist in two Swiss cantons: southern Ticino and northern St. Gallen. The national legislation will bring Switzerland in line with nations such as Belgium and France, which have implemented similar legislation.
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