Portugal approves bill banning face veils, with some exceptions

Portugal’s parliament has approved a law banning face veils in public, targeting coverings like the burqa. Exceptions apply for health, professional, artistic, or religious reasons, as well as on planes, diplomatic premises, and places of worship.

Portugal’s parliament has approved a bill banning face veils worn for “gender or religious” reasons in public, in a move seen as targeting the face coverings worn by Muslim women.

The measure prohibits the “use, in public spaces, of clothing intended to conceal or obstruct the display of the face”, as is the case with the burqa. It also prevents the act of “forcing someone to hide their face for reasons of gender or religion”. Read More

Exceptions include when facial concealment “is duly justified for health reasons or professional, artisti