Swiss government officials announced that a prohibition on the use of face coverings in public areas in Switzerland is going in effect on January 1, 2025. This regulation, commonly referred to as the “burqa ban,” received public approval in a national referendum conducted in 2021.
The Federal Council, Switzerland’s highest executive body, established the implementation date for the ban during yesterday’s meeting. According to the government’s statement, individuals who cover their faces in public across the nation will face penalties of up to 1,000 Swiss francs ($1,141).
The prohibition encompasses Muslim attire, specifically the burqa and niqab, as well as ski masks and bandanas utilized by demonstrators.
According to the government, the ban does not extend to airplanes, diplomatic and consular facilities, or places of worship. Additionally, face coverings are allowed for health, safety, weather conditions, and local customs, as well as for artistic performances and advertising, as stated in the announcement.
The March 2021 referendum was initiated by a popular movement advocating for the ban on face coverings. The proposal received approval from 51.2% of Swiss voters and was subsequently enacted by the parliament in September 2023. The initiative was supported by Swiss People’s Party, which is the largest faction in parliament.
The Swiss government expressed opposition to the proposed measure, deeming it excessive and contending that the ban could negatively impact tourism. According to the Associated Press, the majority of Muslim women who don veils in Switzerland are visitors from Persian Gulf nations.
Muslim organizations within Switzerland also denounced the ban. As reported by Switzerland’s Federal Statistics Office (FSO), among the permanent resident population aged 15 and older, which is approximately 7.5 million, 5.7% identify as Muslim.
Similar prohibitions on the burqa, a full-body garment with mesh covering the eyes, and the niqab, a face veil with an opening for the eyes, are enforced in several countries, including France, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain.