Say No To ‘Burkas’, You Should Wear Something Else- Swiss Government
Well this is actually true, Ticino a city famous for palm-linked lakes and cuisine in southern Switzerland imposed a ban on burkas. Fines of up to $10,155 would be imposed for anyone breaking the rules, although the minimum fine would be closer to $100. Authorities in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino rolled out the restriction on July 1, banning people from wearing the garment in shops, restaurants and public buildings.
In their session meeting, the Ticino government had originally wanted to ban burkas and niqabs as well as masks worn by demonstrators and balaclavas. However at last, MPs only voted for a law that applies to veils worn by some Muslim women and makes no exceptions for tourists visiting the area.
The Saudi Arabian embassy took the twitter help to advice its citizen. The embassy twitted: – The embassy wishes to emphasize that the Ticino cantonal authorities in south eastern Switzerland have announced that as of July 1, 2016 they will start to enforce the burqa (niqab) ban in public places in the canton, including in Lugano, Locarno, Magadino, Bellinzona, Ascona and Mendrisio. The embassy also advised citizens of the necessity to respect and follow new rules and regulation in order to avoid any problems in future.
The shocking factor here is, Ticino city actually has highest number of Middle East tourist visits than any city in the Switzerland. Visitors coming into Ticino will be informed at airports and by customs officers at the Italian border it is illegal for people to hide their face under a burqa or niqab, while in the state, The Swiss Parliament said the ban does not violate ‘Federal law’ and the cautionary step is taken to keep in mind about security and betterment about people living in Ticino and for tourists as well.
Well, Ticino is not the first to implemented ban on burkas, France also has similar ban on burkas where women can be fined an initial penalty of £35 for wearing the garment, which can be increased to £150.