Swiss authorities penalize a woman under the country’s burqa ban law, marking the first enforcement action since the measure took effect in January.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

A woman in Zurich has become the first person fined under Switzerland’s newly enacted face-covering ban, often referred to as the “burqa ban,” after she appeared in public wearing a full Islamic veil in defiance of the law. The violation marks the first enforcement action since the nationwide prohibition officially took effect earlier this year.

Zurich police spokesman Michael Walker told Blick, a Swiss news outlet, that officers issued the 100 Swiss franc ($110) penalty after observing a woman wearing a burqa in public. While Walker did not disclose the woman’s age or the specifics of her attire due to privacy regulations, he confirmed that she is not a tourist.

The woman reportedly refused to pay the fine, prompting local authorities to refer the case to the Zurich cantonal governor’s office for further action. If contested in court, the penalty could increase to as much as 1,000 Swiss francs ($1,135).

The federal face-covering ban, approved by a narrow margin of 51.2 percent in a 2021 referendum, prohibits garments that obscure the face in public spaces, including the burqa and niqab, as well as masks worn at demonstrations or sporting events. The law does include exceptions for face coverings used for religious worship, health-related reasons, airline travel, or weather protection.

Switzerland’s Muslim population, estimated at 4.5 percent and growing, largely consists of individuals with roots in the former Yugoslavia and Turkey. The number of Muslims in the country has doubled since 1990.

The legislation follows similar laws in other European countries, including France—which became the first in 2011—along with Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, and the Netherlands. In Switzerland, the nationalist Swiss People’s Party led the initiative, citing national security concerns and the perceived threat of Islamic radicalization.

The referendum also mirrored earlier efforts by the party, such as the 2009 vote to ban the construction of minarets, which passed with broad public support and drew international criticism. The Swiss People’s Party has since pushed for broader measures to combat the “Islamization” of the country, including restrictions on foreign funding for Islamic institutions and stricter legal penalties for individuals engaged in jihadist activities abroad.

Supporters of the burqa ban argue it enhances public safety and promotes social cohesion, while critics—including Muslim advocacy groups—say it targets religious freedom and stigmatizes Muslim women. Despite condemnation from Islamic organizations, the law remains in force, with enforcement now beginning to take shape on the ground.