A town on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica has banned the wearing of burkinis on its beaches, French media reported.
Lecci Mayor Don Georges Gianni announced the ban on Wednesday. The ban, which will be in place until September 30, applies to anyone who does not wear “appropriate clothing” in accordance with the principles of secularism. The decision claims that religious dress could lead to conflicts on beaches.
The decision also states that “while France and places of worship could be targets of terrorist attacks, beachwear denoting religious affiliation could pose a risk to public order (e.g. crowding or fights) and these risks must be prevented,” emphasising the tense situation in the world.
The prefecture of Corsica intends to review the decision to make sure it complies with French law. The burkini ban was lifted last year.
Last year, Mandelieu-La-Napoule on France’s Côte d’Azur banned the wearing of burkinis on its beaches from June 15 to August 31. The French League of Human Rights challenged the ban in Nice’s administrative court, but the court upheld it in July, citing public order concerns.
The group then appealed to the Council of State, which ruled on July 17 that the ban violated individual rights, including freedom of movement, conscience and personal liberty, and overturned it.
Burkinis are swimming costumes that cover most of the body in accordance with Muslim modesty rules, but can be worn by women of any religious affiliation.
