The proposal, which aims to ban the covering of faces in public spaces, has once again been criticised by Amnistia Internacional – Portugal, at a time when the Portuguese parliament is preparing to debate a replacement proposal for the previously approved bill.

The organisation considers that the text, which has already been passed, is discriminatory and amounts to a violation of the human rights of women who choose to wear veils that cover their faces. According to Amnistia, the law infringes on the freedom of religion of Muslims, as well as violating the rights to privacy, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and peaceful demonstration.

Law passed

The first draft bill was passed by Parliament on 17 October 2025, and it provides for a ban on the wearing of burqas and other face-covering veils in public spaces. The bill tabled by Chega cites not only women’s rights but also security concerns. At the time, the initiative was criticised by the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Bar Association, which expressed their dissatisfaction, arguing that the measure violates freedom of religion and worship.

Alternative proposal

As for the PSD’s alternative proposal, the draft bill makes no explicit mention of the burqa, the niqab or Islam; however, Amnistia argues that the assessment of the law should not be restricted solely to the text. The organisation maintains that the concrete effects of the measures must be analysed.

Amnesty also raises doubts about the constitutionality of the law, arguing that the proposed ban could violate Articles 37 and 41 of the Portuguese Constitution. In addition to potential conflicts with Portuguese law, the organisation raises concerns about how the law might conflict with Portugal’s human rights objectives.

According to Amnistia, these proposals are far from promoting women’s rights and may have the opposite effect to that intended. A blanket ban, the organisation warns, could increase exclusion from public life, social isolation and difficulties in accessing education, employment and public services for women who choose to wear full-face veils.

Portuguese legislation

Despite the debate regarding face coverings for religious reasons, Portuguese law already imposes restrictions on people covering their faces in specific contexts. National law states that in border control settings or whenever it is necessary to verify a citizen’s identity, their face must not be covered. In this regard, Amnesty argues that extending the ban to public spaces goes beyond what is necessary for security purposes.

International measures

Despite the resurgence of the debate in Portugal, similar laws have already been passed in more than 20 countries, with France leading the way in this area by banning the wearing of burqas in 2011.