Portugal’s president, António José Seguro, has signed into law a ban on fully covering one’s face in public places, with violators facing fines ranging from €150 to €3,000.
The law, referred to in the Portuguese media as the “burqa law,” restricts garments or coverings that completely conceal a person’s face or make it impossible to identify them in public spaces.
Under the approved legislation, individuals who cover their faces in public without falling under one of the specified exceptions will face fines of between €150 and €3,000. The amount of the fine will depend on the circumstances of the violation.
The law provides exemptions for reasons including health, professional or occupational requirements, artistic purposes, and weather conditions. Face coverings used in places of worship, diplomatic missions, and on board aircraft are also excluded from the scope of the ban.
In addition to restricting face coverings, the new law prohibits forcing individuals to conceal their faces on the basis of gender, religion, age, or ethnicity, and establishes penalties for such conduct.
In a statement, the Portuguese president acknowledged the social and cultural sensitivities surrounding the issue, saying that balancing citizens’ rights and responsibilities is not easy. He described keeping the face visible as one of the foundations of social trust in Portuguese society.
The bill was initially introduced by the right-wing Chega party and was approved by parliament in July with the support of the governing coalition and the center-right Social Democratic Party. Left-wing parties, including the Socialist Party and the Communist Party, opposed the legislation.
Opponents of the law have warned that its implementation could contribute to increased Islamophobia and put greater pressure on religious minorities. Portugal’s Association of Women Lawyers has also expressed concern that the legislation could conflict with the country’s Constitution.
With the law now in force, Portugal joins several other European countries including France, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands that have previously introduced restrictions on fully covering the face in public places.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
