Home > Practice > Current Affairs > November - 2024 > November 07, 2024
1. Which country has approved a ban on public facial coverings, set to take effect from January 1, 2025?
Switzerland's "burqa ban" was approved in a 2021 referendum with a narrow margin of 51.21% to 48.79%. The ban prohibits covering one's face in public places, with exceptions for health reasons, security, climatic conditions, and local customs. Violators may face fines of up to 1,000 Swiss francs. This measure was promoted by the same group that organized the 2009 ban on new minarets. The ban aims to promote public safety and integration while respecting individual freedoms. Its implementation will be monitored closely, given its potential impact on religious and cultural minorities.