Spanish city introduces ban on burqa, niqab in public

The Spanish city of Lleida has approved a ban on full-face coverings in most public spaces, a measure targeting garments including the Muslim burqa and niqab.

According to PUNCH, the city parliament voted 16-11 on Friday to amend a municipal law prohibiting people from remaining in or moving through public spaces with items completely covering their faces.

The measure provides exceptions for places of worship, basic rights and settings where such coverings are socially accepted. Violators will face fines.

Lleida previously introduced restrictions on full-face veils in 2010, but Spain’s Supreme Court overturned them in 2013, ruling they infringed religious freedom.

Spain currently has no national legislation prohibiting or restricting burqas or niqabs in public spaces.