Swiss canton expected to usher in ‘burqa ban’

GENEVA: A referendum in Switzerland’s northeastern St Gallen region is expected to usher in a “burqa ban”, making it the second Swiss canton to prohibit all face-covering garments in public spaces.

At the same time, voters across Switzerland are being asked to cast their ballots on initiatives aimed at boosting local farming and promoting “ethical standards” in food production, including turning a moratorium on genetically modified crops into a full-out ban.

St Gallen is expected to follow the example of the southern canton of Ticino, where a law was introduced two years ago aimed at burqas and other Muslim veils.

St Gallen lawmakers late last year adopted a text which stipulated that “any person who renders themselves unrecognisable by covering their face in a public space, and thus endangers public security or social and religious peace will be fined”.

The law passed in the regional parliament with support from the populist right and centre parties.

The issue went up for public approval yesterday after the Green Party and Young Socialists demanded a referendum.

Switzerland’s government last year opposed an initiative aimed at creating a nationwide burqa ban, saying it should be up to the regions to determine if such measures are appropriate.