Amnesty cheers end of French burkini bans

This week, armed French police forced a woman wearing a burkini on a beach in Nice to remove items of her clothing because of the ban.

It concluded that the ban had “seriously infringed, in a manner that was manifestly illegal, fundamental liberties such as the freedom to come and go, religious freedom and individual freedom”.

The ruling from France’s highest court with regards to Villeneuve-Loubet is expected to set a precedent for the other towns, which include the popular French resort of Cannes.

Friday’s decision, which suspended the legality of the ban in Villeneuve-Loubet, could pave the way for the bans to be overturned elsewhere – which would be seen as a major victory for human rights groups that have called the bans an insult to freedom of expression.

Patrice Spinosi, a lawyer for the Human Rights League, which had launched the challenge to the bans, told reporters in front of the court that the decision has the potential to inform future challenges to other bans on religious symbols in public places.

But those who back the ban have said it is necessary to counter extremism and defend France’s secularist principles.

The burkini bans have triggered a fierce debate in France and elsewhere about the wearing of the full-body swimsuit, women’s rights and secularism.

Ange-Pierre Vivoni, Socialist mayor of the Corsican town of Sisco, said his Burkini ban, introudced this month following a confrontation between Moroccan bathers and locals, would also remain “for the safety of property and people in the town because I risked having deaths on my hands”.

But Sebbag ultimately defended the bans, whose supporters, he said, “understand today there’s a religious war, a takeover of the secular establishment of the French republic, and this is what they find unacceptable”.

“A mayor, by himself, can not ban religious symbols”, said Spinosi.

With the decision to suspend the ban in the town of Villeneuve-Loubet, courts are required to follow the Council of State ruling.

A scandal erupted in France this week after four policemen were documented while approaching a Muslim woman on the beach in Nice and demanding that she take off her full-body traditional swimsuit, known as the burkini.

Friday’s decision was an initial ruling by the Council of State while it continues to prepare its more detailed judgment on the legal issues in the case.

The court ultimately ruled the mayor did not have a right to ban the swimwear over security concerns.

Anger over the issue was further inflamed on Wednesday when photographs were published in the British media of police surrounding a woman in a headscarf on a Nice beach removing a long-sleeved top.

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is seeking nomination in 2017 presidential election race, said he would bring in a nationwide burkini ban if elected to his former post.