A French court on Wednesday banned the wearing of the ‘burkini’ (a bathing suit that covers women’s entire body, leaving only the face uncovered) in public swimming pools in the city of Grenoble. For the judiciary of France, the piece “seriously affects the principle of the neutrality of the public service”.
The “burkini” is worn by Muslim women.
The dress code in public swimming pools in France is detailed. Not only the “burkini” is forbidden: Men, for example, have to wear swimming trunks.
Grenoble has decided to allow clothing in the pool the law allowing the “burkini” also allows longsleeved clothing for men and topless clothing for women.
French court says burkini ban is ‘assault’
The project was approved by Grenoble City Council last week.
The court decision stated that this authorization would constitute a “contravention of the general rule requiring the wearing of formfitting clothing [nas piscinas] allow certain users to circumvent this rule for religious reasons”.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin hailed the court ruling on Twitter as “excellent news”.
“Following our appeal, the Administrative Court is suspending the deliberations of the Grenoble City Council, which approved the burkini in municipal swimming pools,” he said.
The burkini issue, like the Islamic veil, often fuels political debate in France, and it did so again on the eve of June’s general election, which was crucial for recently reelected President Emmanuel Macron.
Mayor Piolle had argued that the reform of the city’s swimming pool ordinance aimed to end “the derogatory dress bans” and ordinances “about women’s bodies.”
For his opponents, however, the burkini is a symbol of women’s oppression, comparable even to the full veil that the Taliban have just reimposed on women in Afghanistan.