A group of far-right politicians in Switzerland have launched a racist initiative to ban face coverings, which would fine people in the country a whopping 1,000 Swiss francs for violations. Even though burqas and niqabs – two types of garments worn by some Muslim women – are not explicitly named in the draft law, the group has a history of clear and explicit Islamophobia, and that is obviously their intention. There is absolutely no need for this discriminatory law to come into effect in the country!
Sign now to demand the Swiss Government get rid of this Islamophobic proposal before it goes any further!
Proponents of the draft law claim that the purpose of banning face coverings is to "ensure public safety and order." But the ban also makes exceptions for masks worn to protect individuals from COVID-19. Clearly, if some people are allowed to cover their faces but not others, the effort here is simply to punish Muslim women for wearing what they choose. Islamophobia is on the rise in Europe, and this only adds to the racism.
The law was proposed by Egerkinger Komitee, a group which includes politicians from the right-wing Swiss People's Party. The Swiss People's Party famously claims that one of their most important political efforts is to organize "resistance against the claims to power of political Islam in Switzerland." These groups are not even pretending: this draft law is Islamophobic and sexist, and cannot be allowed to pass in Switzerland.
Let's be clear: banning face, body, or hair coverings is just as bad as mandating them. People deserve the right to choose how they want to present themselves in public, and this draft law is simply trying to institutionalize anti-Muslim, anti-woman sentiment. Sign the petition now to tell the Swiss government: stop the face covering ban now! Protect Muslim women in your country!
