Swiss Region Votes in Favor of ‘Burqa Ban’

Voters in the Swiss region of St. Gallen have voted overwhelmingly in favor of a “burqa ban,” laying the groundwork to become the second region in Switzerland to outlaw Muslim veils. Nearly 67 percent of voters approved of the measure, which was first adopted by lawmakers late last year, Agence France-Presse reports. The text stipulates that “any person who renders themselves unrecognizable by covering their face in a public space, and thus endangers public security or social and religious peace will be fined.” The Swiss government opposed an initiative last year to create a nationwide burqa ban, deciding instead to leave it up to the regions. But the right-wing Swiss People's Party has gathered the required 100,000 signatures to hold a nationwide referendum on the matter, meaning voters may have a say on the measure as early as next year.