Portugal Enacts "Burqa Law" Banning Face Coverings in Public

Portugal's President António José Seguro has officially enacted the "burqa law," a piece of legislation that prohibits individuals from covering their faces in public spaces. The move follows parliamentary approval on July 17, with support from governing parties and right-wing factions.

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Following the legislative changes introduced, the President of the Republic has decided to promulgate.

The law's final wording emphasizes public safety and order as the primary justifications, moving away from religious grounds to avoid potential unconstitutionality. A statement from the Presidency of the Republic indicated that legislative modifications led to the President's decision to promulgate the law.

President Seguro's decision is informed by rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). He shares the court's conviction that the face is fundamental to human identity and communication, serving as a minimum basis for mutual recognition among citizens. The Presidency's statement also noted that requiring only women to cover their entire faces creates an asymmetry incompatible with the core democratic values of equality and dignity between men and women.

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The face is considered fundamental for human identity and communication, as a minimum element of mutual recognition among fellow citizens.

This legislation marks a significant step in Portugal's public order and security policies, reflecting a broader European discourse on integration and public visibility. The law's focus on security and order, rather than religious freedom, aims to navigate complex societal and legal considerations.

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Admitting that women, and only them, must hide their entire face implies an asymmetry incompatible with the values of equality and equal dignity between men and women, values that are the foundation of European democracies.