Three evangelical leaders in Switzerland have mounted a legal challenge against a recent move to ban councils in the Canton of Geneva from displaying visible religious symbols.

In November, Geneva’s cantonal parliament passed an amendment banning lawmakers in the region from wearing religious symbols. That decision was then approved in a mandatory referendum last month.

The evangelical leaders challenging the ban include Michael Mutzner, director of the Christian Public Affairs Association, Markus Hofer who represents the World Evangelical Alliance at the United Nations and theologian Joseph Kabongo who is a retired pastor with the Evangelical Party.

Left-leaning political parties have also opposed the ban, saying it infringes on fundamental freedoms.

The new restriction applies to members of Geneva’s cantonal parliament, known as the Grand Council, as well as municipal councils. It covers all religious symbols, without targeting any particular religion.

Michael Mutzer said: “Religious freedom is either for all, or, ultimately, for no one.

“When the rights of one religious community are restricted, the freedoms of all communities become more fragile. It’s a slippery slope. For Christians, this is a matter of loving our neighbour and wanting for others the same freedom we want for ourselves.”

The Swiss Evangelical Alliance said a ban would curtail fundamental rights and could lead to other Swiss cantons introducing similar restrictions. In a statement it said while it supports “a secular state that guarantees neutrality and religious peace, religious beliefs in democratic spaces shouldn't be suppressed”.

A final decision on whether the constitutional amendment can legally stand rests with Geneva’s Constitutional Court and potentially the Swiss Federal Supreme Court if it goes to appeal.