A federal law prohibiting face coverings in public, backed by a 2021 referendum, came into force in Switzerland earlier this year
The Swiss authorities have issued the first fine under the country’s nationwide face-covering ban that took effect this year after a woman in Zurich wore a burqa in public, local outlet Blick reported on Sunday, citing police spokesperson Michael Walker.
The contentious measure, widely known as the “burqa ban,” is a federal law prohibiting face coverings in public spaces, including Muslim garments, such as burqas and niqabs, as well as masks and balaclavas worn by demonstrators or sports hooligans. Walker declined to reveal the woman’s age or details of her attire, citing privacy laws, but confirmed she was “not a tourist.” He said the woman refused to pay the fine, which totaled 100 Swiss francs ($110), meaning the case will now go to the cantonal governor’s office for further processing.
The ban stems from a 2021 Swiss referendum that narrowly passed with 51.2% support, following a campaign in favor of the measure led by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party. Though initially proposed as a measure targeting “radical Islam,” the law also aims to improve public safety, prohibiting masks at protests and sporting events. Violators face an immediate 100-franc fine, which can rise to 1,000 francs if contested in court.
The law includes exceptions for health, cold weather, carnival events, religious worship in designated areas, airline travel, and certain diplomatic or performance-related circumstances.
More than half of Swiss cantons had already enacted bans on face coverings at demonstrations before the federal law took effect. The new national law, however, supersedes cantonal legislation.
Critics argued that the law unfairly targets Switzerland’s 400,000-strong Muslim community, of which only a small minority wear face veils. The Swiss government initially opposed the measure as excessive, arguing that the ban could harm tourism. The law was also condemned by Muslim associations in the country.
Supporters, however, countered that the ban serves broader public security concerns. Last year, Zurich police issued 98 fines for masked participants at protests and sports riots, while Bern authorities also enforced similar cantonal bans against football hooligans.
Bans on the burqa, a full body covering with mesh around the eyes, and the niqab, a face veil which leaves a slit for the eyes, were first introduced in France back in 2011. Full or partial bans on face coverings have since also been enforced in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
