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Switzerland will ban the wearing of public face coverings
The far-right party's proposal has received a majority based on partial results, and although it does not explicitly mention Islam, many call it the "burqa ban."
"This is a sign of our basic freedoms," said a member of the party
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Switzerland
Islam
Reuters
Sunday, 07 March 2021, 19:02 Updated: 19:06
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"Stop the extremism."
Poster for the referendum, Zurich (Photo: GettyImages, Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
Switzerland today (Sunday) held a referendum on a proposal by the far-right party to ban face-covering, and according to partial results, most citizens voted in favor.
The referendum, the results of which are binding, was seen as a test of the public attitudes in the European country towards Muslims.
The proposal did not directly mention Islam, and was also explicitly intended to prevent violent protesters from hiding behind masks, but politicians, the media and various campaigns described it as a "burqa ban".
The referendum was held as part of the Swiss system of direct democracy.
"In Switzerland, our tradition is that you show your face. It is a sign of our basic freedoms," said Walter Webman, chairman of the Swiss referendum committee and a Member of Parliament, before the vote. , Which has become increasingly prominent in Europe, and which has no place in Switzerland. "
The proposal was formulated even before the corona epidemic, following which every senior citizen was required to wear a mask in many places due to preventing the spread of the virus.
She received enough support to become a referendum back in 2017.
Today's referendum adds to the strained relationship between Switzerland and Islam.
As early as 2009, most citizens voted in favor of banning the construction of new minarets, and two cantons are already banning domestic coverage under local law.
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