The much-discussed “Burqa Law” comes into force today: what changes, exactly?
On 24 August, the much-discussed “Burqa Law” was published, establishing the security and prevention rules concerning the identification of individuals to be observed in public spaces. What happens now?
As of September, the use in public spaces of clothing intended to conceal or obstruct the display of a person’s face is prohibited, as is coercing anyone to conceal their face on grounds of gender, religion, age or origin.
Under the aforementioned law, public spaces are deemed to include public roads, places open to the public, premises dedicated to public services where services generally accessible to citizens are provided, as well as locations where events, sporting activities or demonstrations are taking place at the time. In other words, (practically) all spaces where social interaction takes place, with the exception of aircraft, diplomatic and consular premises, places of worship and other sacred places.
The prohibition does not apply where face covering is duly justified on health grounds or for professional, artistic, entertainment or advertising purposes. It also does not apply where face covering is required for security reasons or due to weather conditions, or where it is permitted by law.
From now on, concealing one’s face constitutes an administrative offence punishable by a fine ranging from €150 to €750 in cases of negligence, and from €400 to €3,000 in cases of intent. Responsibility for enforcement and the preparation of infringement proceedings lies, respectively, with the security forces and the municipal council of the area where the offence occurred.
What if the face covering is forced? Under the new law, anyone who, through threats, violence, coercion, abuse of authority or abuse of power, on the grounds of the victim’s sex, forces one or more persons to conceal their face may be punished with imprisonment for up to two years or a fine of up to 240 days. This penalty may be increased by one third where the victim is a minor.
