Italy’s ruling Brothers of Italy party has proposed a law to ban the burqa and niqab in public spaces as part of a bill against “cultural separatism” linked to Islam. This legislation would prohibit face-covering garments in public places, schools, universities, shops, and offices, with fines ranging from 300 to 3,000 euros for violators. The bill aims to combat “religious radicalisation and religiously-motivated hatred. “
France was the first European country to enforce a public ban on burqas in 2011, and more than 20 countries worldwide now have similar restrictions. The European Court of Human Rights has upheld these bans. Some regions in Italy, such as Lombardy, already have face-covering restrictions in place.
Additionally, the proposed law would require religious organizations without formal agreements with the Italian state to disclose all funding sources, as no Muslim organizations currently have such agreements. The bill would also strengthen penalties for forced marriages and introduce new criminal provisions against virginity testing.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s coalition partner, the League, has suggested a more limited ban earlier this year. The coalition holds a strong majority, increasing the likelihood of support for the legislation, but there is no set schedule for debate yet.
with information from Reuters