The mayor of the French resort city of Cannes has barred women in full-body, head-covering swimsuits from bathing on public beaches there, essentially demanding that they either wear swimsuits that reveal more skin or stop going to the beach.
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“A beach outfit showing in an ostentatious manner a religious affiliation, given that France and religious places are now the target of terrorist acts, has the nature of creating risks of troubles of public order (mobs, conflicts, etc.) that are necessary to be prevented”, said the new law.
However many criticised the decision as being “alienating”, “intolerant” and far behind the Rio Olympics where Muslim sportswomen have worn modest clothing while competing freely alongside non-Muslim sportswomen. Muslim women will still be permitted to wear the veil over their hair. But critics say they’ve deepened the religious divide, and Islamic State extremists say the laws are justification for attacking France.
The ban on some beaches Burkini was deemed discriminatory by several associations defending human rights.
“I considered that unacceptable for hygienic reasons and that, in general, it was unwelcome”.
Burkinis are full-body swimsuits that allow women to cover their bodies while still being able to enjoy the sun, sea and sand a typical beach has to offer. The fine for wearing a burkini in Cannes is just under $50, and those in burkinis “will first be asked to change into different attire or leave”.
Anyone caught breaking the new rule could face a fine of €38 (£33). But there is no ban on wearing religious symbols or clothing.
It comes almost a month after a terror attack in nearby Nice, where a man drove a heavy truck through a Bastille Day crowd on the city’s main beach promenade, killing 84.
A priest was killed on July 26 in his church in northwestern France by two attackers who had proclaimed their allegiance to Islamic State.
“Must we remind this mayor that about 30 of the victims of the attack in Nice were Muslims, because terrorism targets us all indiscriminately?” the statement said.
The Collective Against Islamophobia in France (CCIF) said it would appeal against the decision in France’s highest administrative court.
Under French laws, face-covering veils are already banned in public.
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The move comes after a plan for a “burkini day” at a water park in France was deemed a “threat to public order” by local Mayor Michel Amiel.
