No headscarves in Zug schools and nurseries

The SVP party wants to introduce a law banning the wearing of head coverings for religious or ideological reasons.
 

Switzerland currently has no general legal restrictions on whether Muslim girls are allowed to wear headscarves in public schools. The cantons are free to decide on such matters themselves. As is the case throughout Switzerland, the wearing of religious symbols, including headscarves, is therefore generally permitted in canton Zug.

The SVP Canton Zug (Swiss People’s party) wants to change this status quo – by means of a legislative initiative with a clear message: ‘No headscarves in Zug schools and kindergartens’. Launched by an 18-member initiative committee composed of Zug cantonal councillors and National Councillor (Nationalrat) Thomas Aeschi on the 24th October, the initiative aims to create a legal regulation that ‘fundamentally prohibits’ the wearing of ‘head coverings based on religious or ideological beliefs’ in all public schools in the canton of Zug.

SVP sees principles violated
According to its own statements, the committee sees the initiative as a ‘general suggestion’ to guarantee all children equal opportunities, freedom and equal rights in everyday school life. The SVP refers to the liberal democratic principles that prevail in Switzerland and the requirement of religious neutrality – both of which also form the basis of the school system in the canton of Zug. It argues that allowing ‘Muslim’ head coverings to be worn in public schools is a contradiction of these two values.

The initiators believe that girls often do not wear headscarves of their own free will, and it is thereby an expression of discrimination. This restricts the development and freedom of movement of these girls and young people, which contradicts both equal opportunities and equal rights as educational goals. Schools should be free spaces ‘where the rule of law, freedom and equal rights apply to all children and young people’.

Signatures for the initiative are being collected at the Zug Trade Fair            Photo:Tele 1
The SVP poster demanding a ban on headscarves     SVP Zug
 

Exceptions are possible
In summary, the SVP's initiative calls for cantonal legislation to be amended to prohibit the wearing of clothing that covers the head for religious or ideological reasons. An exception should apply if the wearing of such head coverings can be proven to be compatible with the educational and teaching mandate and with the mandate of equality, and if no third-party rights are affected.

The initiative committee is now ‘canvassing for votes’ in the canton. The signature form is available on the website of the SVP Canton Zug, and signatures can also be collected at the SVP stand at the Zug Trade Fair (Zuger Messe).

The corresponding SVP signature sheet can be found on:
https://www.svp-zug.ch/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/nitiative-405x720.jpg

Move towards a headscarf ban

On Thursday 28^th August, with a narrow result of 37 to 35 votes, the cantonal council passed a motion by the SVP faction calling for a ‘ban on Muslim headscarves for schoolgirls and children in all Zug schools and kindergartens’. Co-motioner Livio Bundi (SVP) quoted Islamism critic Saïda Keller-Messahli and referred to developments in France. His fellow councillor Andreas Iten (ALG), on the other hand, described the motion as ‘purely symbolic politics’ and stigmatising. The centre referred to a motion by Aargau Council of States member Marianne Binder-Keller (centre) and corresponding efforts to ban headscarves at the federal level.