Portugal bans niqab and burka in public
Portugal has banned the wearing of face-covering clothing in public spaces, including the burka and niqab, with penalties ranging from €150 to €3,000 for violations. The law was signed by President António José Seguro and is justified as a measure against gender discrimination and for social cohesion.
Consensus
- The law bans wearing clothing that fully covers the face in public spaces.
- The law applies to both the burka and the niqab.
- The law prohibits forcing someone to wear such clothing due to religion, gender, age, or origin.
- Penalties for violating the law include fines from €150 to €3,020.
- Exceptions exist for health, professional duties, artistic expression, and weather conditions.
- The law was signed by Portuguese President António José Seguro.
- The law was passed by the parliament in July.
- The law is referred to in media as the 'burka law'.
Points of divergence
- The law is based on decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and aims to prevent gender-based discrimination. — fontanka
- President Seguro stated that the law was enacted due to 'great social and cultural sensitivity' around the issue. — kommersant
- The law was supported by the ruling right-center coalition and far-right parties, while left-wing parties opposed it, calling it Islamophobic. — kommersant
- The law received negative feedback from the Portuguese Bar Association, the Supreme Council of the Public Prosecutor, and the Portuguese Association of Women Lawyers. — kommersant
Coverage (2 sources)
- In Portugal, wearing the niqab and burqa is banned — Фонтанка
- In Portugal, wearing burkas is banned — Коммерсантъ