ZURICH (Reuters) – A far-right proposal to ban facial coverings in Switzerland was headed toward a narrow victory in a binding referendum on Sunday viewed as a test of attitudes toward Muslims. The proposal compounded Switzerland’s tense relationship with Islam after citizens voted in 2009 to ban building any new minarets. France banned wearing a full face veil in public in 2011 and Denmark, Austria, the Netherlands and Bulgaria have full or partial bans on wearing face coverings in public. Amnesty International has called the face veil ban “a dangerous policy that violates women’s rights, including to freedom of expression and religion”. On March 7 Switzerland’s voters will decide about a nationwide veil ban.

Source: Egypt Independent March 07, 2021 13:18 UTC