51% of the referendum votes in favor… Exceptions to masks for COVID-19 prevention
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In Switzerland, it is also forbidden to cover the entire face like a burka or nicap in public places such as restaurants, shops and public transport.
According to the British Daily Guardian, etc., as a result of the referendum held on the 7th (local time), about 51% of them agree with the agenda and plan to introduce the relevant provisions into the constitution.
If you violate this, you will have to pay a fine of up to 10,000 Swiss francs (about 12 million won).
The burka and nikab are one of the traditional clothes of Muslim women, and the nikab is blindfolded and the burka is covered with a net. However, covering the face for reasons such as security, climate, or health is recognized as an exception. Accordingly, it is possible to wear a mask to prevent the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19). In addition, burka and nicap can be worn at places of worship.
The side in favor of this agenda has argued that a ban is needed to prevent radical protesters or hooligans wearing masks, and in particular, there is no word burka or nikab in the agenda itself. In addition, there was also a reason why Burka and Nikab were symbols of oppression of women.
However, in a promotional poster by the right-wing Swiss National Party, which led the campaign in favor, with a woman in black nicap, “Stop radical Islamism!” “Stop extremism!” The slogan on the back was written on it.
Opponents were concerned that it could accelerate the stigma of Muslims and reduce the number of Muslim tourists visiting Switzerland.
The government and parliament also expressed opposition to the national ban and proposed alternative legislation that would require the face shield to be removed upon request for identification.
Several attempts have been made in Switzerland to ban face masking, each time controversial. Some cantons, such as Ticino and St. Gallen, have already banned burka through referendum.
In Europe, starting with France in 2011, Austria, Belgium, Germany, and Denmark are implementing the’Burka-Nicab Banning Act’, which prohibits all or part of clothing that covers the entire face in public places. The Muslim population in Switzerland is estimated to be about 5.3% in 2018.
On the other hand, the free trade agreement with Indonesia, which was put in a referendum together on the same day, was passed with an approval rate of about 52%. However, about 64% of votes on electronic identification were rejected.
/ Reporter Kihyuk Kim [email protected]
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