Swiss communes are in favor of a March 7 referendum to ban the niqab. The action was initiated by a committee in the city of Egerkingen, which launched a campaign for the popular will, RG reported referring to the 20min.ch.

According to representatives, burqas and niqabs are not ordinary garments and they deprive women of the right to live as equals in their society.

The government and parliament consider the initiative unnecessary. 

In 2009, 60 percent of the Swiss supported a proposal to ban the construction of minarets in a referendum. According to statistics, Muslims make up about 5% of the Swiss population. Earlier, a ban on hijabs was introduced by France, Denmark, and Austria. It is officially prohibited to wear headscarves and hats in public places that completely cover the face.