The French government can not implement a nationwide anti-Muslim swimsuit ban, as such a law would be “unconstitutional and ineffective”, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said.
Advertisement
Although clearly playing to prejudice fanned by the far right against Muslims, Sarkozy’s ostensible goal, supported by all too many on the left, is the defence of France’s much-vaunted, totemic tradition of laicité, rigorous, enforced secularism.
Speaking to French daily La Croix on Sunday, Cazeneuve reiterated the government’s opposition to legislating on the controversial matter which has sparked fierce debate both at home and overseas about women’s rights and France’s strictly guarded secularism.
Earlier this week, France’s highest administrative court has possibly set a precedent by suspending the burkini ban imposed by the southern town of Villeneuve-Loubet. The decision will affect the 30 French towns that have enforced the ban, leading to much outrage over the course of the past week. Socialist politician Christine Taubira said it will leave “a scar on French society”, adding that the court’s ruling should stop others from pouring oil on the fire.
Former president Nicolas Sarkozy, who plans to run for President again in next year’s election, said the wearing of a burkini was a political act and said he would bring in a nationwide ban if he returned to power.
On Monday, 29 August, Cazeneuve will have “a day of consultations” with religious figures, civil groups, parliamentarians and others on Islam in France, seeking to get the religion that has become the subject of debate throughout the country better “anchored in the values of the Republic”.
“Certain opposition leaders are making a lot of noise”.
The debate follows footage released of armed police attempting to force a woman to remove her burkini top on a beach in Nice last week.
The burkini is essentially a wet suit with a hood, but it went from being marketed as a major step forward in progressive Muslim fashion to being disparaged as a security threat by European officials who want it banned in public spaces.
Advertisement
“France needs healing and people coming together, not divisive outbursts by those contesting in primaries”, Cazeneuve said.
