Portugal’s parliament on Friday approved a bill banning the wearing of burqas and niqabs for “gender or religious motives” in most public spaces, with fines ranging from 200 to 4,000 euros for offenders.
Forcing someone to wear a face veil could carry a prison sentence of up to three years. The legislation, proposed by the far-right Chega party and supported by the centre-right coalition, still allows face coverings on airplanes, in diplomatic premises, and in places of worship.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has yet to give assent and could veto the bill or send it to the Constitutional Court for review. Chega leader Andre Ventura defended the measure, saying, “We are today protecting female members of parliament, your daughters, our daughters, from having to use burqas in this country one day.”
Social Democratic Party lawmaker Andreia Neto added, “No woman should be forced to veil her face.”
Opposition lawmakers, including members of left-wing parties, criticized the bill for targeting foreigners and women of different faiths, arguing that it risks stigmatizing Muslim communities.
Only a small number of Muslim women in Portugal wear full-face coverings. Still, the issue mirrors debates across Europe in countries such as France, Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands, which already have full or partial bans on face veils.
Supporters of the law claim that full-face coverings symbolize gender discrimination and pose security risks, while critics warn it infringes on religious freedom and individual rights.
The bill sparked heated debate in parliament, with confrontations between Chega’s Andre Ventura and female MPs from left-leaning parties, reflecting the broader European controversy over Islamic veils.
This law, if enacted, would make Portugal the latest European country to restrict the wearing of full-face veils in public, emphasizing gender equality and public safety while sparking discussions on religious and cultural freedoms.
(With agency inputs)
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