Vienna, Austria, 8 March 2020

We, the Board of the European Muslim Jewish Leadership Council (MJLC) note with concern recent developments within the Swiss Confederation, specifically the outcome of the 7 March referendum to ban the wearing of full face coverings in public spaces.

Legislation based on this referendum has the potential to disproportionately and uniquely restrict the religious freedom of certain female followers of the Muslim faith, by forcing them to choose between foregoing access to public spaces or contravening their deeply held religious beliefs, under the guise of securing public safety.

We urge Swiss legislators to reject the growing pressure across Europe to limit the freedom to manifest religion. We encourage them instead, to take proactive steps to ensure individuals in minority religions retain equitable access to community life.