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

The legislation, proposed by the far-right Chega party, would prohibit garments such as burqas — full-body coverings — and niqabs — full-face veils with openings for the eyes — in most public spaces. Exceptions would be made for airplanes, diplomatic premises, and places of worship.

The bill sets fines for individuals wearing face veils in public, ranging from 200 euros to 4,000 euros ($234 to $4,669).

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has yet to approve the bill. He could either veto it or refer it to the Constitutional Court for review.

If enacted, Portugal would join several European countries, including Austria, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, which have imposed full or partial bans on face and head coverings.

Although few women in Portugal wear such coverings, the issue has sparked controversy similar to that seen elsewhere in Europe. Chega cited France and other EU countries as examples for restricting face coverings commonly worn by Muslim women. The far-right party received backing for the bill from center-right parties.

In its proposal, Chega argued that hiding the face subjects individuals, particularly women, “to situations of exclusion and inferiority” and conflicts with principles such as “liberty, equality, and human dignity.”

Lawmakers from left-leaning parties opposed the bill.

“This initiative is aimed solely at foreigners and people of different faiths,” said Pedro Delgado Alves, a lawmaker from the center-left Socialist Party, whose party voted against the legislation. He added that while no woman should be forced to wear a veil, the far-right approach was misguided.

Source: AP