Child ban in Swiss café judged not discriminatory

Private restaurateurs are allowed to refuse children entry to their establishments. Aargau cantonal government says the economic freedom of publicans carries more weight in this case than the ban on discrimination. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The political debate was triggered by the decision of a café owner in the cantonal capital of Aarau in northern Switzerland to refuse entry to guests under the age of 14. "In order to maintain a quiet and cosy atmosphere, we ask that you do not bring babies or small children," read a sign on the entrance door. This caused a stir in various media in November. In its response to an interpellation from the right-wing Swiss People's Party, published on Friday, the cantonal government stated that the cantonal catering law does not contain any regulations on the selection of guests. From a legal perspective, two fundamental rights clash, according to the cantonal government: the ban on discrimination and economic freedom.