08-07-2025
France : Expelled from a beach for her burkini, a young woman gives up swimming
مدة القراءة: 1'
An 18-year-old woman was forced to leave the beach at Carry-le-Rouet, near Marseille, after attempting to swim in a burkini. On July 2, municipal police officers, accompanied by gendarmes, prevented her from entering the sea, citing a local ordinance.
«We arrive, my sister is about to swim, and two municipal police officers blow their whistle and tell her she can't go in», her twin brother, Islan, told France 3 Régions. «We ask why, and they say she's not allowed to dress like that, that her clothing is unacceptable». Although they were never shown the ordinance in question, the family was forced to leave the beach under threat of a fine. Another woman wearing a burkini was also asked to leave.
The municipal ordinance bans full-body swimwear, citing maritime safety concerns. However, such bans have previously been ruled unlawful by the French Council of State. In July 2023, the Council suspended a similar measure in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, declaring it a «serious and illegal» infringement on several fundamental freedoms.
Marion Ogier, a lawyer and member of the National Committee of the Human Rights League, condemned these repeated restrictions. «The Council of State's rulings are extremely clear, and yet, every year, we see mayors banning the burkini for completely illegal reasons», she said.
Since the incident, the young woman has been deeply shaken. «She no longer dares to go out or talk to people… She doesn't even want to swim anymore», her brother said.
