LISBON, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Portugal's law banning the concealment of the face in public spaces entered into force on Wednesday, introducing fines of up to 3,000 euros (3,420 U.S. dollars) for those who cover their faces in public without an accepted justification.
The law also establishes that anyone who coerces another person into covering face is subject to a prison sentence of up to two years, with penalties increased by one third if the victim is a minor.
Under the legislation, public spaces are defined as public roads, locations open to the public, areas assigned to public service and places providing services generally accessible to citizens.
Exemptions apply in aircraft, diplomatic and consular premises, places of worship and other sacred sites, as well as in cases involving health, professional, artistic, advertising, security or climate-related justifications, or where another legal provision permits face covering.
According to local media reports, the law originated as a proposal of the far-right Chega party explicitly targeting the wearing of the burqa by women in Portugal. After being approved in parliament, it was promulgated by President Antonio Jose Seguro in August. ■
