Italy's ruling Brothers of Italy party has proposed a ban on Muslim clothing that obstructs facial recognition in public spaces, according to a statement released on Wednesday. The draft legislation suggests fines up to €3,000 for violations and seeks to ban full-face veils in public places such as schools, universities, offices, and commercial venues.
The proposal also includes stricter financial transparency rules for places of worship to trace foreign funding and calls for prohibiting practices like virginity tests and forced marriages, which the party argues violate human dignity.
The measure is framed as a move to protect "Italian identity, citizen security, and women’s freedom," with the party claiming it would not infringe on religious freedoms but would prevent misuse of religion to justify harmful practices.
Italy already has a law from 1975 banning face-covering garments in public, primarily targeting items like helmets. Several European countries, including France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, have implemented similar bans, with the United Nations warning that such measures could restrict religious freedoms and further marginalize women.
The proposal also includes stricter financial transparency rules for places of worship to trace foreign funding and calls for prohibiting practices like virginity tests and forced marriages, which the party argues violate human dignity.
The measure is framed as a move to protect "Italian identity, citizen security, and women’s freedom," with the party claiming it would not infringe on religious freedoms but would prevent misuse of religion to justify harmful practices.
Italy already has a law from 1975 banning face-covering garments in public, primarily targeting items like helmets. Several European countries, including France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, have implemented similar bans, with the United Nations warning that such measures could restrict religious freedoms and further marginalize women.
