Switzerland approved by referendum the ban on the use of …

By a narrow margin, Swiss this Sunday approved the ban on the use of the burqa in public spaces. The initiative, called “Yes to the ban on hiding the face” obtained 52% of the votes in favor against 48 percent against.

The objective of this initiative was “to promote equality, freedom and, in particular, security”, and its main promoter was the right-wing populist party (UDC).

From the SVP, they argued that this ban would help prevent terrorist attacks and other forms of violence, and facilitate the promotion of gender equality by freeing women who are “controlled, oppressed and captive”. This last argument won her the support of some sectors of feminists.

Jean-Luc Addor, deputy of the Central Democratic Union, greeted “all the personalities of the left and the Muslims who dared to engage in this liberating initiative for women”.

So far, 17 of the 26 cantons have indicated that the measure has been approved because it requires a majority both as a percentage of the population and as a number of districts into which the country is divided.

This result establishes that the ban must be incorporated into the constitution and will be applied in restaurants, shops and in public spaces.

Opponents of the initiative included political parties and social movements, which deemed the ban “racist and sexist”. In the meantime, the Swiss government and parliament have spoken out against him, believing that it is a “marginal phenomenon in Switzerland, which could have negative effects on tourism and, ultimately, would not really help. the women concerned “.