Although the initiative does not explicitly mention traditional headwear for Muslim women, such as labyrinths, no one has any doubts about what has been the subject of years of debate.
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To “Yes!” campaign posters show a woman dressed in black labyrinth and read slogans such as “Stop radical Islam!” and “Stop Extremism!”
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On the other hand, the posters of the opponents of the initiative read: “No to an absurd, pointless and Islamophobic anti-reparation law!”
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The initiative means that everyone will be prevented from completely covering their face in public places, both indoors and outdoors.
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There are some exceptions, including places of worship.
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“It’s a question of civilization. Free men and women present themselves with an open face,” emphasizes “Yes!” campaign spokesman Jean Lux Ador, representing the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP).
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However, he admits that, fortunately, there are not many women in Switzerland who wear labia. However, Ador adds that the problem must be solved before it becomes uncontrollable.
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Although the polls “Yes!” campaigners are still in the lead, the predominance they enjoyed in January has shrunk in February.
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The government and parliament are also opposed to a national ban on labyrinths.
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The alternative proposal, which will be automatically accepted if voters reject the initiative, stipulates that people will have to reveal their faces if this is necessary to identify a person, for example when crossing a border.
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Anyone who refuses to do so will be subject to a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs (9,040 euros).
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Justice Minister Karina Keller-Zutere has pointed out that most of the women seen in Switzerland wearing gaiters are tourists.
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In Switzerland, any initiative can be put to a referendum if it is signed by at least 100,000 voters.
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The initiative to ban face masking has been put forward by the so-called Egerkingen Committee and is also actively supported by the PHP.
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However, a part of the Liberals and the Left, who are in favor of protecting women’s rights, have also joined the “Yes” campaign.
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At the same time, some feminist organizations oppose a ban on labyrinths.
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Inese el Sheikh, a spokeswoman for the Muslim feminist organization Purple, said the initiative was “racist and sexy.”
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“In 2021, it is unacceptable from the point of view of the Swiss constitution to ban women from wearing what they want,” el-Shihah said in a conversation with AFP, arguing that the ban on sledges was not intended for women but against them.
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She also points out that there are only 30 women in Switzerland who wear labia.
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Ador, for his part, points out that the initiative does not concern Muslims, but women who, often against their will, are turned into even “soldiers of extreme political Islam”.
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“We cannot talk about equality and at the same time tolerate the demonstrative demonstration of women’s submission and alienation,” emphasizes “Yes!” campaign representative.
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According to the Federal Statistical Office, in 2019, 5.5% of the Swiss population were Muslims, many of whom came from the former Yugoslavia.
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The Swiss have previously voted against displaying symbols of the growing Muslim community in public places.
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In 2009, the Swiss voted in a referendum to ban the construction of minarets.
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Two Swiss cantons, St. Gallen and Ticino, have already banned the wearing of footbridges.
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There are two more referendums in Switzerland today, in which voters must decide on the introduction of a federally recognized electronic signature and on a trade agreement with Indonesia.
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