Portugal’s lawmakers approve far-right party’s bill to ban face veils

Portugal’s lawmakers approve far-right party’s bill to ban face veils
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Portugal’s parliament has approved legislation introduced by the far-right Chega party that would prohibit full-face veils such as the burqa and niqab in most public settings for “gender or religious” reasons, Al Jazeera reported. Under the measure, wearing such garments could incur fines between €200 and €4,000, and forcing someone to wear one could carry prison sentences of up to three years.

The bill still requires signature or possible referral to the Constitutional Court by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, meaning it is not yet law. If enacted, Portugal would join a growing list of European nations—including France, Austria, Belgium and Netherlands—that have banned or restricted full-face coverings.

Supporters framed the legislation as necessary to ensure gender equality, social integration and public security. During parliamentary debate, Chega leader André Ventura declared: “We are today protecting female members of parliament, your daughters, our daughters, from having to use burqas in this country one day.”

Critics, however—including lawmakers from the centre-left Socialist Party (Portugal)—warn that the bill unfairly targets a religious minority, noting that full-face veils are extremely rare in Portugal. Socialist MP Pedro Delgado Alves said: “This initiative is used solely to target foreigners, those who have a different faith.”