Society has always associated clothes with a person’s identity and personality. Every culture has its own unique customs, traditions, and beliefs. Despite clothes allowing people to self-express, they sometimes act as mediums for spreading ideology. Most people spend much time trying to find the perfect attire. They try to identify clothes that make them feel more comfortable and conform to the required dress code for a specific place or occasion. Furthermore, the fear of being judged by other people also influences what people choose to wear. However, many controversies surround the types of clothing people wear. The ban on all facial coverings by France and the denial of burkini swimwear for Muslim women on the country’s beaches have led to many debates.
Many beaches in France forbid people from covering up their bodies whether they are swimming or just at the resort. People who fail to comply with these instructions are arrested or forced to take off unwanted clothing by armed police officers. The situation is explained in an article by Sheryl Garratt, “The burkini ban: what it really means when we criminalize clothes,” where she describes photographs taken on a beach in Nice showing four armed police officers harassing a woman by forcing her to take off part of her clothes. The article also describes a similar incident in Cannes beach where a woman got fined for overdressing on the beach. The reasons for the arrest and fining of the women were apparently due to them wearing attire that disrespected good morals and secularism.
There has been controversy over what women should wear when swimming for a long time. For instance, an Australian swimmer once got arrested for wearing a swimsuit that showed most of her body (Garratt, 2016). The ban of specific swimsuits began as a temporary rule in France but has now evolved into a law. The current reasons for the ban in the country vary from religion, terrorism, extremism, security, secularism, and molarity. Besides, the logic also contrasts depending on the leaders, state, and commune.
Muslim women who wear full-body swimsuits become the primary targets since some believe they adhere to a religion that supports terrorism in the country. Based on the article by Lizzie Dearden, “Burkini ban: Why is France arresting Muslim Women for wearing full-body swimwear and why are people so angry?” the imposition of the local laws on expected dressing code on beaches is driven mainly by the fact that the country is still reeling from continuous and severe attacks by supporters of Isis terror group.
Furthermore, the article indicates that debates in the country are pitting constitutional secularism against religious freedoms, and the emotions on both sides are perceived to be high. Those in support of the current ban believe that the law will improve secularism and security. On the other hand, the people opposing the move identify it as a violation of human rights and a recruiting asset for terror groups who believe the West is at war with their religion.
Although with slightly varying reasons, different cities and communes on France’s coast implemented the ban. Cannes was the first city in the country to enforce the by-law. Mayor David Lisnard indicated that his reasons for implementation were to prevent swimwear that was blatantly displaying a religious affiliation similar to the one of those who were arranging terror attacks in the country (Dearden, 2016). The law prohibited anyone dressed in clothes that disrespected customs and secularism from entering the beaches or swimming. Women found to have violated the ban were arrested, fined, or given warnings.
Moreover, Villeneuve-Loubet was another commune to implement the burkini ban. It did not directly associate the ban to extremism or terror but hygiene, secular principles, and morality. The rule stated that the beachwear was supposed to comply with safety and hygiene rules besides molarity and secularism (Dearden, 2016). Nonetheless, the mayor, Lionnel Luca, did not specify the hygiene motives for forbidding the swimwear. A committee in Nice showed significant support to Villeneuve-Loubet and described the rule as a necessity for sustaining public order. The ban, however, does not explicitly mention burkinis despite it covering the entire body and hair.
The people’s reaction to the burkini ban is not the same; others fully support the decisions while others oppose it. Right-wing politicians have announced their support for the ban even as the country proceeds with a countrywide banning on full-face veils in the cities. Those criticizing the government’s declaration compare it to repression in Iran and Saudi Arabia by saying that denying womenfolk the option of choosing what they are interested in wearing is an abuse of human rights (Dearden, 2016). Furthermore, some critics term the reasons given by various cities and communes as a means of justifying wrong behaviors such as Islamophobic discrimination and sexism.
Additionally, the burkini ban in France is majorly associated with rising public fears and tensions due to increased terror attacks in Nice, where 86 people were mowed down while celebrating Bastille Day, and Isis supporters murdered a catholic priest. Human rights activists have described the ban as a plan by the cities to exert punishment on Muslims due to the continuing terror attacks and increase in the number of immigrants and refugees in the country (Dearden, 2016). France’s Human Rights League opposed the burkini ban, terming it illegal and a violation of multiple fundamental rights. Also, the group stated that the ban was an abuse of the country’s secular principles.
There have been numerous negative reactions following the burkini ban in France. People on social media were outraged after seeing a photo, taken in Nice beach, of armed police officers forcing a woman to strip off part of her clothing (Dearden, 2016). Additionally, many people were not pleased after seeing a picture of three police officers standing around a woman who was kneeling and taking off her top (Dearden, 2016). Proofs of other incidences of women being fined or forced to get out of the beaches have also provoked a worldwide alarm. The critics indicate a possibility of launching a protest for burkini day on the country’s shores. France’s President Francois Hollande denied being involved in the conflict while the country’s prime minister displayed no concern for the ban.
Many controversies are surrounding the ban of full-body clothing on France’s beaches. Evidence taken from various beaches in the country shows Muslim women dressed in burkinis being arrested or fined. The reasons for the enactment of the burkini ban differ among the cities and communes. Some cities implemented the law to install respect for customs and secularism, while others cited religion and security as the cause for enacting the law. Furthermore, the burkini ban has faced both support and opposition from people in the country and worldwide.
References
Dearden, S. (2016) Burkini ban: Why is France arresting Muslim women for wearing full-body swimwear and why are people so angry? Independent.
Garratt, S. (2016). The burkini ban: what it really means when we criminalize clothes. The Guardian.