Amid of ISIS attacks in Paris earlier this month Swiss region of Ticino banned wearing the religious garment burka or niqab ,after officials passed a motion to outlaw the face veils in public and the offenders could face a fine of around £6,500.
The new law was approved by the region’s parliament on Monday, which banned full-face veils, worn by women in many Muslim countries, they state it as a criminal offence to wear burkas and niqabs on the streets, shops, restaurants,public buildings or behind the wheel of a car.
This ban is implemented on tourists also and no exceptions will be made. but other forms of face coverings such as masks, balaclavas or crash helmets will are permitted.
Out of 5 per cent of the population there are around 40,000 Muslims in Switzerland.
Earlier in September 2013 the ban was supported by almost two-thirds of the region’s voters before it was approved by Parliament.
Giorgio Ghiringhelli, who drew up the proposal, said the result would send a message to “Islamist fundamentalists”, he added
“Those who want to integrate are welcome irrespective of their religion,” “But those who rebuff our values and aim to build a parallel society based on religious laws, and want to place it over our society, are not welcome,” he said.
The vote was a “black day for human rights in Ticino.” Said the Amnesty International
Similar laws have been passed earlier by the European Court of Human Rights in July 2014 and followed by Belgium and the Netherlands.
In 2012 a nationwide ban on burkas in public places was rejected by Swiss parliament.