Cannes burkini ban overturned after top French court ruling

The court in Nice concluded that the Cannes decree violates basic freedoms and is illegal because there were no proven risks of disruption to public order, or reasons of hygiene or decency for the ban.

A French court has overturned a ban on ‘burkinis’ issued in Cannes — the first in a series of bans on the swimwear this summer that set off a heated controversy at home and a wave of outrage abroad.

In this image taken from video, Nesrine Kenza who says she is happy to be free to wear a burkini, and two unidentified friends wade into the sea in Marseille. (AP)

The court in Nice concluded that the Cannes decree violates basic freedoms and is illegal because there were no proven risks of disruption to public order, or reasons of hygiene or decency for the ban in the famous Riviera city resort.

The decision followed a ruling by a French top court regarding a similar ban in the Riviera town of Villeneuve-Loubet that set a legal precedent.

After the Council of State overturned that ban last week, human rights groups said they will challenge similar bans issued in 30 or so municipalities.