Switzerland : Voters projected to ban face coverings in public

Today is referendum day in Switzerland and the question being voted on is whether or not to ban full Islamic face coverings in public , preliminary results show a likely win for those who support the ban bringing them inline with Denmark, Austria and Bulgaria.

Switzerland appears to have narrowly voted in favour of banning face coverings in public, including the burka or niqab worn by Muslim women, following a controversial referendum.

Projections by broadcaster SRF show the measure passing by 52% to 48%.

Sunday's referendum was put forward by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) which campaigned with slogans such as "Stop extremism".

Of course Islamic groups and bleeding heart Liberals weren't to happy at the news given as the Swiss voted in 2009 to ban the building of any new minarets.

A leading Swiss Islamic group said it was "a dark day" for Muslims.

"Today's decision opens old wounds, further expands the principle of legal inequality, and sends a clear signal of exclusion to the Muslim minority," the Central Council of Muslims said in a statement.

I fully support their decision and believe such a question should be asked in the UK too , I agree with Walter Wobmann.

Ahead of the vote, Walter Wobmann, chairman of the referendum committee and an SVP lawmaker, described Muslim face coverings as "a symbol for this extreme, political Islam which has become increasingly prominent in Europe and which has no place in Switzerland".

"In Switzerland our tradition is that you show your face. That is a sign of our basic freedoms," he said.

As in any Western Democracy Walt , you know there's a problem when the Liberal Swiss vote to ban something.

Just wondering, but here in South Africa there is still a Covid 19 lock-down with required face-masks and sanitizing when entering public spaces.

I'm just wondering whether Swiss cops would be able to distinguish between an Islamic face covering and a Covid face-covering?

To impose, or even enforce, bans on any face covering to me at the moment just seems idiotic.

a reply to: gortex

liberal Swiss?! OMG rofl
You never been there and don't know anyone who has do you?

a reply to: halfoldman

I'm just wondering whether Swiss cops would be able to distinguish between an Islamic face covering and a Covid face-covering?

A face mask is not the same as a full face covering like a Burka or Niqab , the law has no bearing on face masks just coverings that hide a persons identity.

a reply to: gortex

"In Switzerland our tradition is that you show your face. That is a sign of our basic freedoms," he said.


As in any Western Democracy Walt , you know there's a problem when the Liberal Swiss vote to ban something.

To be honest...i see basic freedom as the government not being allowed to dictate what i am and am not allowed to wear in public...

Not that i think burqas or even hijabs are that great and the reasons for wearing them are pretty #ty...but...

Enforcing the way someone can and cannot dress ia not really what i'd consider freedom.

a reply to: gortex

I love the Swiss. Especially at the airport. Decades ago I was in Germany for two weeks on business as I was qualifying machinery for shipment to USA. At the check in gate they asked me if I received any gifts. I said YES and told them what it was and who from.

Then a female hottie in Swiss military uniform with a loaded sub machine gun escorted me to a private booth so I could be stripped down by myself to me undies. Fine I complied and didn't bitch. They cleared me in less than one minute and said they would go through my luggage. I had no objections. I had nothing or no reason to hide.

BECAUSE I was so cooperative she then explained that the primary way the terrorists blow up planes is to give a traveler a gift. She said because I was so nice to her she took me ahead of the international line. It probably saved me at least an hour of standing in lines etc.

Tall, blonde and big gunz. Und ya Austin Powers baby!

a reply to: dug88

Ordinarily I'd probably agree but at a time when Islamic fundamentalists are plotting their plots and attacking our people I don't think giving them a way to hide their identity is a wise move.

When in Rome do as the Romans do , especially when Rome is at war and your brethren are the opposing force.

I have no problem with those wanting to practice Islam in the UK I have a problem with those trying to make this an Islamic country.

originally posted by: gortex
a reply to: dug88

I have no problem with those wanting to practice Islam in the UK I have a problem with those trying to make this an Islamic country.

The problem is they don’t have a “live and let live religion” it’s a political ideology using “religious status” as a shield... they don’t want to coexist they want to take over the entire world by any means necessary...

People can say that there is no slippery slope... yet now we’re catering to the “pronoun crowd” and every other fascist mindset in the name of “progress”...

Maybe it’s not too late to save this planet... I have little hope that’s the case though...

originally posted by: Waterglass
a reply to: gortex

I love the Swiss. Especially at the airport. Decades ago I was in Germany for two weeks on business as I was qualifying machinery for shipment to USA. At the check in gate they asked me if I received any gifts. I said YES and told them what it was and who from.

Then a female hottie in Swiss military uniform with a loaded sub machine gun escorted me to a private booth so I could be stripped down by myself to me undies. Fine I complied and didn't bitch. They cleared me in less than one minute and said they would go through my luggage. I had no objections. I had nothing or no reason to hide.

BECAUSE I was so cooperative she then explained that the primary way the terrorists blow up planes is to give a traveler a gift. She said because I was so nice to her she took me ahead of the international line. It probably saved me at least an hour of standing in lines etc.

Tall, blonde and big gunz. Und ya Austin Powers baby!

Let me get this straight:

"female hottie in Swiss military uniform "
+
"Tall, blonde and big gunz."
+
"stripped down to undies"
+
So that she could "inspect" your "equipment"

Hmmm....my "gun" would definitely have discharged...Switzerland, right ? So, just banking a deposit .....

a reply to: M5xaz

Sorry, no IT WASN'T a THANK YOU GOD moment like the movie Animal House. I was in a private booth. She stood guard outside and inspected my clothes. I think they sniffed it for bomb trace elements. She never saw me naked.

DARN?

Yes to big "gunz"

The official results are in , the measure has been passed by 51.2% to 48.8%.

a reply to: gortex

Could you please post a link to what you quoted. Thanks!

ETA: No worries, I see it's plastered all over the news now.

originally posted by: dug88
a reply to: gortex

"In Switzerland our tradition is that you show your face. That is a sign of our basic freedoms," he said.


As in any Western Democracy Walt , you know there's a problem when the Liberal Swiss vote to ban something.

To be honest...i see basic freedom as the government not being allowed to dictate what i am and am not allowed to wear in public...

Not that i think burqas or even hijabs are that great and the reasons for wearing them are pretty #ty...but...

Enforcing the way someone can and cannot dress ia not really what i'd consider freedom.

I agree with your basic principle, but this referendum is in response to a very deep and very complex issue. It has to do with much more than just how a certain demographic dresses. To break it down to that single issue is to do it a serious dis-service and to minimize the reality and depth of the issue.
:

originally posted by: halfoldman
Just wondering, but here in South Africa there is still a Covid 19 lock-down with required face-masks and sanitizing when entering public spaces.

I'm just wondering whether Swiss cops would be able to distinguish between an Islamic face covering and a Covid face-covering?

To impose, or even enforce, bans on any face covering to me at the moment just seems idiotic.

Do you frequently walk around in public nude ?
Here in Georgia , it is illegal to wear a mask covering anyone's face . (Well , except for Halloween)
Ever think there is a reason for both ?
The face covering is mostly against criminals and the KKK

originally posted by: Waterglass
a reply to: M5xaz

Sorry, no IT WASN'T a THANK YOU GOD moment like the movie Animal House. I was in a private booth. She stood guard outside and inspected my clothes. I think they sniffed it for bomb trace elements. She never saw me naked.

DARN?

Yes to big "gunz"

Darn....