The French resort of Cannes has banned full-body, head-covering swimsuits from its beaches, citing security reasons. Cannes mayor David Lisnard issued an ordinance in late July forbidding beachwear that doesn’t respect “good morals and secularism”. It said swimwear “manifesting religious affiliation in an ostentatious way, while France and its religious sites are currently the target of terrorist attacks, could create risks of trouble to public order”.
Last week, the mayor of a town near Marseille banned a swimming day for women at a local park, citing a risk to public order because swimmers were required to cover up from chest to knee. The association Smile 13 organised the event for women, girls and boys, asking swimmers to respect the Islamic notion of “awra”, a reference to parts of the body to be hidden.
The local branch of the Human Rights League warned that the Cannes burkini ban could further alienate French Muslims.
The Collective Against Islamophobia in France said it is filing a lawsuit challenging the legality of the Cannes measure.
