The party has previously pushed for a ban on the burqa and niqab for public employees. Now KD will also push for the garments that cover the face to be banned in public environments, such as streets and squares.
–The burqa is an anomaly in Swedish society. It is the ultimate form of oppression of women, which wants to erase women from the public sphere, said Max Pelin, from the KD youth union in the debate before the decision.
Gabriella Eckhardt from Stockholm County described what it would be like for her to live in, for example, Afghanistan.
I wasn't allowed to show my hair, not even my face. Some values are not optional, she said.
"Other face mask"
Louise Hammargren, from the party board, emphasized that it is important to take the fight for freedom for women who do not dare to make their voices heard by introducing a ban.
But several party districts objected to only designating the burqa and niqab. They wanted to add “other face coverings.” This was to avoid a discussion about KD wanting to restrict religious freedom.
The party board was against the addition.
This is not about value-neutral garments, said Minister of Health Elisabeth Lann.
She did not think that the burqa and niqab could be compared to a buff or a pulled-up scarf for protection against the cold.
It is important not to relativize this and compare it to other facial masking.
However, the party board lost the vote on that point by 128 to 140.
Long line of suggestions
The burqa and niqab ban is one of a long series of proposals in a program to increase social cohesion in Sweden.
Before the parliament's decision, party leader Ebba Busch was asked whether a burqa ban could be implemented together with the Moderates and the Liberals.
I expect this to be something that we have the opportunity to implement in government after the next election, she said.
Anyone who wants to defend that we should have the burqa and niqab in Sweden, especially after the debate we have had, must be aware that it sends the opposite signals.
