24 November 2015

MPs in Swiss canton of Ticino back burqa ban

.... The Ticino government had wanted the ban on burqas and niqabs (face veil) to also apply to other forms of head covering that hide the face, such as masks, worn by demonstrators and balaclavas.

But MPs voted for a law that applies only to the wearing of Muslim veils to avoid putting that on the same level as hooligans and masked demonstrators.

The minimum fine is 100 francs running up to the maximum of 10,000 francs.

The law makes no exceptions for tourists.

People visiting Ticino will be informed at airports and by customs at the Italian border that is unlawful in the canton to hide your face.

Around 40,000 visitors from the Middle East traveled to Ticino last year, a tourism market that is growing. [The Local] Read more