French court suspends ban on Muslim women swimwear 'Burkini'

France’s highest administrative court has ruled that the ban on muslim female swimwear 'burkini' being enforced on the country’s beaches are illegal and a violation of fundamental liberties. More than 30 French towns have banned burkinis, which cover the whole body except for the face, hands and feet.  Officials say the ban on the burkini was a response to growing terror concerns.

Human rights activists however argued that such measures are illegal, and that pushes to outlaw the garment are Islamophobic. The ruling of the State Council suspends the ban in the town of Villeneuve-Loubet, near Nice, and this could now affect cities around the country that have prohibited the full-length swimsuit.

In their ruling, three senior judges said the ban was clearly an illegal blow to fundamental liberties such as the freedom of movement, freedom of conscience and personal liberty. They found that no evidence produced in favour of the prohibition proved a risk to public order was being caused by women wearing such swimwear.