Walter Wobmann, Swiss Right-Wing Politician, Calls For Hijab Ban In Passport Photos

A politician from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party has called for the hijab to be banned in passport photos, according to reports Sunday. Walter Wobmann said that allowing photos of women wearing headscarves for passport was “unequal treatment” and “unacceptable.”

Wobmann, who is known for his anti-immigration stance, told local newspaper Blick that the policy was unjust because caps, headbands and headgears are barred for others when taking passport photos.

“It is unacceptable that you can wear a hijab in a photo but not a cap. This is not a question of religious freedom but of equal treatment,” Wobmann told the newspaper.

As per Swiss police guidelines, covering of head is not allowed unless it is for religious reasons and only if the face is identifiable.

Wobmann had previously voiced his opinion against burqas as well as construction of minarets. He said that he will proceed with the new proposal to ban hijabs in passport photos.

“I will indeed think of it,” he said. “First of all, I will wait for the parliament’s argumentation and then decide on further steps.”

This follows the so-called burkini ban row in European countries such as Italy, Austria, Germany and France. Burkini is a type of swimsuit for women covering the whole body except the face, hands and feet.

On the other hand, several parts of the western world such as U.K. and Canada have encouraged wearing of hijabs for active-duty police officers to boost the number of Muslim women joining the police force.