Portugal Enacts Law Banning Full-Face Veils in Public Spaces

Portugal's President António Jose Seguro has enacted a law banning face coverings in public spaces, a measure widely seen as targeting Muslim women who wear full-face veils.

The legislation, dubbed the burqa law by local media, was approved by parliament in July with support from the governing right-wing coalition and far-right parties. Left-wing parties voted against the proposal. President Seguro stated that "The face must be considered a central element of human identity and communication," and acknowledged the issue's great social and cultural sensitivity.

The law prohibits clothing designed to conceal the face or prevent identification in public spaces. It also bans forcing someone to cover their face for reasons related to gender, religion, age, or origin. Violators in Portugal face fines ranging from 150 to 3,000 euros. Exemptions are provided for health, professional, artistic, or weather-related needs, as well as within places of worship, diplomatic missions, and on airplanes.

Left-wing parties, including the centre-left Socialist Party, green-left Livre, and the Portuguese Communist Party, opposed the bill, warning it could fuel Islamophobia. The proposal received negative opinions from the Portuguese Bar Association, the High Council of the Public Prosecutor's Office, and the Portuguese Association of Women Lawyers, with concerns raised over its potential unconstitutionality.