Some in the UK have called on the religious garment to be made illegal to wear in public.
An EU country is close to banning the burqa in public (Image: Getty)
A European country looks set to ban the burqa in most public spaces. Portugal’s parliament approved a bill in October proposed by the far-right Chega party in October, which would bar people from wearing face coverings – such as a niqab and burqa – for “gender or religious motives”. The country’s president is to sign the legislation into law, after which individuals risk a €4,000 (£3,496) fine if they don the item of clothing in a prohibited place. There will also be prison terms of up to three years in the offing for anyone who “forces” another person to wear one.
Portugal will then join France, Belgium, Austria and Denmark in observing a general prohibition on the face coverings in public. The Netherlands and some areas of Italy, Germany and Spain, meanwhile, have restrictions in place in specific places, such as schools, hospitals or on public transport. Those in favour of a ban argue that people should not appear in public without being identifiable.
A niqab is different to a burqa (Image: Getty)
Critics of the garments also argue that they do not promote social and religious cohesion, and represent a view of women that does not align with their own.
Whereas those against a ban suggest that it would impede an individuals’ freedom to observe their faith in a way of their choosing.
A burqa covers a person’s entire body and face, including a mesh screen over the eyes.
A niqab covers the face but leaves the eyes visible, and is usually worn with a headscarf.
As the proposed law was approved in October, Al Jazeera reported that Chega’s leader Andre Ventura said: “We are today protecting female members of parliament, your daughters, our daughters, from having to use burqas in this country one day.”
He also wrote on X: “Today is a historic day for our democracy and for the safeguarding of our values, our identity and women’s rights.”
In June, Sir Keir Starmer rejected Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin’s call to ban the burqa.
She said: “Given the Prime Minister’s desire to strengthen strategic alignment with our European neighbours, will he – in the interests of public safety – follow the lead of France, Denmark, Belgium and others, and ban the burqa?”
The Prime Minister answered that he was “not going to follow her down that line”.
Afterwards, Reform’s then Chairman Zia Yusuf called Ms Pochin’s question was “dumb”.
Reform MP Lee Anderson wrote on social media: “Ban the burqa? Yes we should”.
“No one should be allowed to hide their identity in public,” he added.
