Switzerland considers ban on veils

Swiss lawmakers are considering a ban on wearing face-covering veils in some public situations.

Switzerland's lower house of parliament voted 101-77 on Wednesday to outlaw veils like the burqa worn by some Muslim women when using public transportation or dealing with authorities.

The measure goes next to the upper house and is being pushed by the nationalist Swiss People's Party before federal elections in October.

A lawmaker from the party, Oskar Freysinger, said the aim is "to avoid a religious war" by setting minimum standards for wearing veils.

Freysinger campaigned in 2009 to ban construction of minarets in Switzerland, a law that drew international condemnation when voters approved it despite the government's opposition.

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