Portugal has enacted a law that largely prohibits individuals from covering their faces in public spaces, a measure that has been characterized by local media as the “burqa law.” President António José Seguro signed the legislation, which aims to ensure that faces remain visible in public life.
Violators of the new law could face fines ranging from 150 euros to 3,000 euros, which converts to approximately $175 to $3,500. The Portuguese parliament adopted the final version of the measure last month.
The law bans any coverings intended to conceal a person's face or obstruct identification in public areas. It also prohibits requiring individuals to cover their faces based on gender, religion, age, or origin.
According to a Portuguese-language press release, the president views an uncovered face as a fundamental aspect of social trust and a characteristic of Portuguese society. The release further stated that the decision is supported by social integration, non-discrimination based on gender, and security considerations aligned with rulings from the European Court of Human Rights. The court's conviction that the face is central to human identity and communication, serving as a minimum element for mutual recognition among citizens, is shared by the president.
"And to admit that women, and only women, must hide their entire faces implies an asymmetry incompatible with the values of parity and equal dignity between men and women, values that shape European democracies," the release added.
However, the legislation includes several exceptions. These carve-outs permit face coverings for reasons related to health, professional requirements, artistic pursuits, or weather conditions. Additionally, individuals are permitted to cover their faces when at locations of worship, within diplomatic missions, or aboard airplanes.IMAGE2