The lower house of Switzerland's parliament voted on Wednesday to pass a ban on face coverings, including burqas worn by some Muslim women. The legislation, which had already been approved by the upper house, was championed by the right-wing populist Swiss People's Party. It received significant support with a vote of 151-29 in favor, despite reservations expressed by centrists and the Greens.
This move comes after a nationwide referendum two years ago in which Swiss voters narrowly, 51%, endorsed a ban on niqabs (face veils with eye slits), burqas, as well as ski masks and bandannas worn by some protesters. With the lower house's approval, the ban has now become federal law, accompanied by fines of up to 1,000 Swiss francs (around $1,100) for violators.
