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I don't think anyone should dictate what any woman wears, period.

It is so disturbing! I can't believe it's real.

This is, of course, reprehensible that a woman was forced to remove some of her clothing in a public place, in view of all. She must have felt humiliated. I personally think they should be able to dress how they want. I myself nearly always wear a long sleeve rash guard at the beach or pool for extra sun protection.

That said, I think it's interesting to see the two sides of the argument. On the one hand, you have mayors (because this is not a national ban, it's local ordinances), that want to be seen as doing something (whatever that means) in light of all the recent attacks in France. There is also a long tradition of secularism in French society. The prime minister said: “The burkini is not a new swimsuit fashion trend. It’s the translation of a political project for a counter-society based on woman’s enslavement. There is an idea that, by nature, women are indecent, impure so should cover themselves entirely. That is not compatible with the values of France and the Republic.” And Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights says:

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.

2. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
On the other hand, there is freedom of religion in France and that extends to wearing traditional dress (minus the face covering niquab and burka bans, and minus religious insignia when working for the state, ie. postal carriers or public school teachers cannot wear a cross, yarmulke, headscarf, etc. on the job). But women are generally afforded the right to dress as they please and in general, it is extremely common to see women wearing the hijab in France. There is also the argument that the decree is racist or Islamophobic in nature since it is targeting Muslims and preventing them from expressing their religion or obliging them to dress less modestly than is their custom. I have no idea how surfers wearing wet suits or Orthodox Jewish women wearing modest swimwear are treated.

France's highest court of appeal is supposed to make a ruling on this today.

@lamariniere: I wonder if there were ramifications for her at home.

I think people tend to think of Europe as a continent where everyone gets along, but the ethnic and racial divides run deep and I am worried that they are starting to come to the surface and history is going to repeat itself.

@looch: no idea. But I'm very curious to see how the French courts will rule on the issue since it could have a spillover effect to other Euro countries.

@Freckles: oh, I totally agree. I find it somewhat analogous to the whole birth gender bathroom debacle.

I saw this on fb and completely agree