The UN has weighed in on France’s “burkini ban” controversy, urging the seaside towns at the heart of the dispute to repeal their restrictions on the concealing swimwear.
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The ruling came after more than 30 French towns banned the burkini, a swimsuit which covers the whole body except for the face, hands and feet and is worn mostly by Muslim women.
A SMALL town French mayor has revealed he will ignore a court decision declaring the burkini ban illegal despite backlash over the controversial prohibition.
Rulings over the bans have been closely watched in France and around the world, after photos of armed police surrounding a Muslim woman as she removed her top on a beach in Nice sparked outrage.
“If anything, it is having a counterproductive effect”, said Rupert Colville, the spokesman for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Local authorities in the city of Nice have also pledged to “continue to fine” anyone caught wearing burkinis.
He said: “By overturning a discriminatory ban that is fuelled by and is fuelling prejudice and intolerance, today’s decision has drawn an important line in the sand”.
But Colville said the ban in response to recent terror attacks in France was “frankly a stupid reaction”.
France’s government has sought to open a new chapter in relations with the country’s Muslims following a summer scarred by Islamist attacks and a ban on burkinis that ratcheted up communal tensions.
These clothing bans may actually undermine the effort to fight and prevent violent extremism, which depends on cooperation and mutual respect between communities, Colville said, adding that any public order concerns should be addressed by targeting those who incite hatred or react violently, and not by targeting women who simply want to walk on the beach or go for a swim wearing clothing they feel comfortable in.
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According to worldwide human rights standards, Colville explained, limitations on manifestations of religion or belief, including choice of clothing, are only permitted in very limited circumstances, including public safety, public order, and public health or morals. “So the idea that by banning this form of clothing you are somehow advancing women’s freedom is complete nonsense”. Lawyer Patrice Spinosi said “it is a decision that is meant to set legal precedent”, asserting any French mayor refusing to lift a ban would be taken to court.
