Portugal prohibits face coverings in public after enacting 'burqa law'
New York Post • • world
Key Points:
- Portuguese President António José Seguro has enacted a law largely prohibiting face coverings in public, widely seen as targeting Muslim women who wear burqas.
- The law includes exceptions for health, professional, artistic, weather-related reasons, and when at places of worship, diplomatic missions, or on planes.
- Non-compliance with the face-covering ban can result in fines ranging from 150 to 3,000 euros (approximately $175 to $3,500).
- The legislation, referred to locally as the “burqa law,” was passed by the Portuguese parliament last month and prohibits face coverings that conceal identity or are mandated due to gender, religion, age, or origin.
- The president emphasized that an uncovered face is essential for social trust, integration, and mutual recognition, and stated that requiring only women to cover their faces conflicts with values of gender equality and dignity.
