Cabinet opposes minaret ban
The cabinet on Wednesday came out in opposition to a people's initiative to ban the construction of minarets, calling it unconstitutional.
This content was published on August 27, 2008
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The response of the cabinet was not unexpected and it did not submit a counter-proposal.
In a statement, it said the prohibition of the spires, usually found outside mosques, would violate international human rights norms.
It also said that a ban would hinder integration and that it would be ineffective in the fight against extremism.
A rightwing coalition had submitted 113,540 valid signatures in support of a ban in July.
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