French court suspends Burkini ban amid shock and anger worldwide
Paris, Aug 26: French mayors do not have the right to ban burkinis, the French Council of State ruled Friday, suspending the bans already in place in a number of French cities and towns.
France’s highest administrative court is expected to rule Friday on a controversial burkini ban.
Arguments in court this week have focused on the southern town of Villeneuve-Loubet, near Nice.
But the state council’s ruling could set a precedent across the country. So far 15 French towns have banned the full-length swimsuit, which covers the whole body except for the face, hands and feet.
Officials say the ban on the burkini — worn mostly by Muslim women — is a response to growing terror concerns.
Human rights activists argue that banning the burkini is illegal, and that pushes to outlaw the garment are Islamaphobic.
