Appeals challenge Geneva ban on religious symbols

Geneva’s ban on conspicuous religious symbols in cantonal and municipal parliaments has prompted a fourth appeal, SRF reports. The constitutional amendment, narrowly approved by voters in June, prohibits elected officials from wearing items such as headscarves, kippahs or crosses.

The latest appeal was filed by two private individuals, one Muslim and one Christian. They argue that the ban violates fundamental rights, according to freelance journalist Eva Hirschi on SRF’s podcast The Week in Switzerland’s Language Regions.

Members of the Green Party, evangelical Christians and a Protestant municipal politician have also challenged the measure. Ela Öztürk, a municipal councillor in Thônex, told RTS that the separation of church and state was being used as a tool to erase the diversity of the population.

The ban was originally proposed by the Swiss People’s Party, the Liberal-Radical Party, the Centre and the right-wing populist Geneva Citizens’ Movement. The initial proposal targeted headscarves in parliaments.

Members of the Council of State and municipal executives in Geneva have been required to observe religious neutrality while carrying out their duties since 2019. The rule also applies to administrative employees and teachers, who are prohibited from wearing a kippah, cross or headscarf at work.

Parliamentary members were excluded from the 2019 rule. At the time, the constitutional chamber said they represented society and its diversity, rather than the canton.

After right-wing groups opposed that decision, Liberal-Radical legislator Céline Zuber-Roy appeared at a parliamentary debate last year wearing a pasta strainer on her head. She said the gesture was intended to show ironically how conspicuous symbols could disrupt political debate.

The Geneva parliament later restored the ban on religious symbols to the constitution in a very narrow vote, against the wishes of the cantonal government. Voters approved the constitutional amendment in June, despite opposition from the left. Socialist State Councillor Carole-Anne Kast expressed regret over the result and called the ban unconstitutional.

Geneva is the only Swiss canton with a ban on wearing religious symbols in state institutions. The canton has maintained a strict separation between church and state since 1907, similar to France. Hirschi said the restrictions, which were intended to promote harmonious coexistence, appeared instead to be increasing divisions.