France’s burkini ban a ‘stupid reaction’ to extremism

The UN on Tuesday welcomed a decision by France’s highest administrative court to suspend a controversial ban on burkini swimwear, warning that the ban had fuelled religious intolerance and stigmatisation.

At the conference, Cazeneuve said he wanted to reach “a new stage of successful pacts with Islam in accordance with the values of the Republic”. “They think that in the current context of terror threats, we can abandon the fundamental principles of law as embodied in the Constitution”, he said, warning that such a move would be “a serious mistake”.

On Saturday afternoon, two women wearing veils were forced to leave the seashore, according to Federation of Muslims in the South spokesperson Feiza Ben Mohamed.

The boss of Le Cenacle restaurant later apologised for his actions as calls to boycott his establishment flooded social media sites alongside negative reviews.

Cazeneuve, who was meeting with French Muslim leaders on Monday to ease religious tensions, said he would name veteran politician Jean-Pierre Chevenement to head an independent body charged with handling relations between the state and the religion’s representatives.

The owner of a high end restaurant in Paris is under investigation for displaying racial discrimination after he refused to allow two Muslim women to dine in his restaurant.

Protestors gathered outside the French embassy in London, creating a “beach” to emphasize that people should be able to wear what they are comfortable with.

The talks will lead to the creation of the Foundation for Islam in France, which will aim to raise funds in France to ensure the transparent sourcing of funds.

Lawyer Patrice Spinosi said “it is a decision that is meant to set legal precedent”, asserting any French mayor refusing to lift a ban would be taken to court. Most of the restrictions are still in place along the French Riviera, including in Nice and a swathe of resorts along the Cote d’Azur. “So the idea that by banning this form of clothing you are somehow advancing women’s freedom is complete nonsense”. She added that they wanted to “express their solidarity with wear the burkini but can not swim”.

Eighty-six people were killed in Nice in July and over 400 people injured when Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel drove a truck into crowds leaving a fireworks display on Nice’s waterfront on France’s national holiday.