Parliament banned the wearing of the burqa and niqab in public places

The Assembly of the Republic, Portugal's unicameral parliament, on Friday approved legislation banning Muslim women from wearing the burqa and niqab in public places, outfits that enable, among other things, face covering.

During the debate in the chamber, MPs from the center-right Social Democratic Party (PSD) of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro emphasized that the regulations were not aimed at followers of Islam, but were only intended to increase safety in public places.

MPs from the conservative Chega party, who supported the new regulations, emphasized that they served to defend secular values, fight religious extremism, and protect women's freedoms.

According to the new regulation, apart from the burqa and niqab, wearing any type of clothing covering the face in public places is prohibited.

Financial sanctions ranging from PLN 200 to PLN 4,000 are foreseen for non-compliance with the new regulations prohibiting face coverings. euro. (PAP)

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