Lecci Municipality Bans Modest Swimsuits
According to reports in the French press, Lecci Mayor Don Georges Gianni banned the wearing of burkinis on the city’s beaches with a decision taken on August 7, 2023. This ban will be valid until September 30, 2023, and it was stated that those who do not wear appropriate clothing will be prevented from entering the beaches within the framework of “respect for secularism.” The decision stated that religious clothing could lead to potential conflicts.
The decision included the following statements: “While France, especially places of worship, can be the target of terrorist acts, beach attire indicating religious affiliation can pose a risk of public disorder (crowding, fighting), and these risks must be prevented.”In addition, attention was drawn to the tension around the world, especially in the Middle East.
The Corsica Governorate announced that it will check the compliance of this decision with current legislation. However, the Council of State had previously decided to overturn the ban on modest swimwear. For example, the Municipality of Mondelieu-La-Napoule banned modest swimwear on beaches between June 15 and August 31, 2023.
The French League for Human Rights (LDH) appealed to the Nice Administrative Court regarding this ban. The Nice Administrative Court rejected LDH’s application to lift the ban in July 2023 on the grounds that the municipality’s decision was aimed at preventing public disorder and decided to maintain the ban.
LDH appealed the decision of the local court and applied to the Council of State to cancel the ban. In its decision published on July 17, 2023, the Council of State canceled the ban on modest swimsuits on beaches on the grounds that it seriously violated the individual’s freedom of movement, conscience and personal freedoms.
