'Scandalised' France leads the way in condemning Switzerland after country votes to ban minarets

[mc_squared]

'Scandalised' France leads the way in condemning Switzerland after country votes to ban minarets

 

 

By Mail Foreign Service

Last updated at 12:49 PM on 30th November 2009

 

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Scandalised: France's foreign minister Bernard Kouchner says the result of the vote is negative

 

 

 

France's foreign minister is decrying a ‘show of intolerance’ in Switzerland after voters there overwhelmingly approved a constitutional ban on minarets.

 

Bernard Kouchner said he is ‘a bit scandalised’ about the Swiss referendum result, calling it ‘negative’ because banning the construction of Muslim mosque towers amounts to ‘oppressing a religion.’

 

Kouchner added on France's RTL radio today: ‘I hope that the Swiss will go back on this decision rather quickly.’

 

Muslim groups in Switzerland and abroad condemned yesterday’s vote as biased and anti-Islamic.

 

In staunchly secular France, legislators are holding discussions that could lead to a ban on face-covering Islamic veils, though no such referendum on minarets is planned.

 

The far-right, anti-immigration National Front party sought to use the vote to step up pressure on France's conservative government and President Nicolas Sarkozy ahead of regional elections in March.

 

'I think this is the expression of a worry shared by many European peoples who see politico-religious Islam, politico-religious groups demanding more and more visibility, demanding outward signs of their religion,' said party vice president Marine Le Pen on France Culture radio.

 

'In France, the question is being asked, and many French would like to express themselves through a referendum,' said Le Pen, who is the daughter of far-right standard-bearer Jean-Marie Le Pen.

 

 

Campaign poster: The vote appears to have reflected a fear of Islamic fundamentalism

 

'They won't be able to do so (in a referendum) but they'll be able to in regional elections next year.'

 

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The Swiss ban will see the country’s constitution altered to forbid future construction of the ornate religious structures.

 

Following the result, the Swiss government was keen to placate its 400,000 Muslim residents.

The government had said a ban could 'serve the interests of extremist circles'

 

 

A spokesman said: 'Muslims in Switzerland are able to practise their religion alone or in community with others and live according to their beliefs just as before.'

The referendum was effectively the first direct vote in a European country on Islamic practices.

 

The run-up had seen an emotive campaign by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), the country's largest in terms of popular support and membership in parliament, which used posters depicting a woman in a burka in front of minarets shaped like missiles rising from a Swiss flag.

Walter Wobmann, president of the committee behind the initiative, said: 'We're enormously happy. It is a victory for this people, this Switzerland, this freedom and those who want a democratic society.

'We just want to stop further Islamisation in Switzerland, I mean political Islam.'

The result was also an embarrassment for pollsters who had predicted the ban would be supported by just 37 per cent of voters.

In the event, 57.5 per cent - more than 1.5 million people - were in favour of the ban, with a turnout of 53.4 per cent. The ban was also supported by 22 of 26 voting districts.

A referendum result is binding on the government if backed by both a majority of voters across the country and a majority of the districts.

 

 

 

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The government had said the ban would 'serve the interests of extremist circles' - and the idea was rejected by the United Nations human rights watchdog as violating the country's constitution and freedom of religion.

The Swiss authorities have confirmed they will respect the people's decision.

But the result has been met with concern from religious groups.

Taner Hatipoglu, president of the Federation of Islamic Organisations in Zurich, said: 'The initiators have achieved something everyone wanted to prevent, and that is to influence and change the relations with Muslims and their social integration in a negative way.'

In Britain, Inayat Bunglawala, of the Muslim Council of Britain, described the result as 'very worrying'.

Switzerland uses direct democracy for single-issue politics, meaning citizens have the last word on many decisions.

Yesterday's referendum was triggered by a right-wing proposal in May 2007 which gained ground last year when Muslims in the town of Langenthal asked for planning permission to add a 30-foot minaret to their mosque.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1231854/Voters-ready-ban-minarets-Switzerland-exit-polls-show.html#ixzz0YNITeaPb

[Guest howyousawtheworld]

Look, if the voters said yes, then there's no debate. It's officially legitimate in that country- end of you idiot France minister.

[mc_squared]

Look, if the voters said yes, then there's no debate. It's officially legitimate in that country- end of you idiot France minister.

 

Exactly. At least they actually hold referendums in Switzerland, which is more than you can say for the UK.:dozey:

[Guest howyousawtheworld]

Exactly. At least they actually hold referendums in Switzerland, which is more than you can say for the UK.:dozey:

 

Yes because it is a democracy for the people, by the people.

[mc_squared]

Yes because it is a democracy for the people, by the people.

 

So what is the UK? A dictatorship?:rolleyes:

[Petit Prince]

A sad day for Switzerland. Can't say I'm surprised though. The campaign of the Swiss People's Party was once again blatantly racist but this clearly appeals to the majority of the Swiss population. If posters like this won't put voters off then I doubt anything will.

 

 

This poster was all over the country about two years ago and the SVP was the strongest party in the following elections.

 

I'm so glad I no longer live there.

[Guest howyousawtheworld]

So what is the UK? A dictatorship?:rolleyes:

 

Well the fact that we didn't get that 'promised' referendum on the EU Treaty. We only get to vote once every 4/5 years for the nobs who sit in Westminster

[Black Rose]

Well the fact that we didn't get that 'promised' referendum on the EU Treaty. We only get to vote once every 4/5 years for the nobs who sit in Westminster

 

And that Gordon Brown was made PM without a vote

 

(Yes I know people vote for the separate MPs but come on, they vote for the party leader)

[Larry]

Yes because it is a democracy for the people, by the people.

 

I disagree.

 

Populists say only referendums represent the true majority in a country. But the one who wins such a vote, is actually the one who can invest the most in cheap propaganda. The result is purchased policy and less democracy.