ADL, UN slam Swiss ban on minarets
UN human rights chief: Switzerland's minaret ban puts it on a collision course with international law.
By Haaretz Service and The Associated Press Tags: ADL UN Israel newsThe Swiss government's decision to ban the building of minarets was the result of a "populist political campaign of religious intolerance" led by a far-right party, the Anti-Defamation League charged on Wednesday.
The ADL, which noted that the Federation of Swiss Jewish Communities opposed the measure, called on Bern "to be vigilant in its commitment to ensuring freedom of religion."
The UN human rights chief says Switzerland's minaret ban is discriminatory and puts it on a collision course with international law.
Navi Pillay stopped short of declaring the Alpine country's ban on the Islamic towers illegal.
But she condemned Tuesday the "anti-foreigner scare-mongering" that produced the vote, and its "deeply divisive" result.
The referendum backed by nationalist parties was approved by 57.5 percent of the Swiss population Sunday. It does not affect the country's four existing minarets.
Europe's top human rights watchdog said Monday that the ban could violate fundamental liberties, and questioned whether human rights ought to be subject to popular votes.
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Swiss protesters demonstrate against minaret ban in Lausanne. |
| Photo by: (Reuters) |
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right? Then say no to so many minarets must be also human right of those who disagree and feel threatened to lose their cultural identity. It is not just about minarets it is about Muslim invasion of Europe under supervision of our governments that let them in against peoples will and ferociously suppress every discontent and critic. This no from Switzerland will be rapidly invalidated and other referendums banned,no worries. I hope I'm wrong ....
When the sound of christian bells are heard at the Kaba the ban on minarets should be revoked
Nothing much has changed over the years