The Balearic Islands parliament is reviewing a proposal that would prohibit the public wearng of burkas and niqabs, imposing fines of up to £25,000 for repeat offences. The measure, championed by the Vox and People’s Party (PP), has been slammed by left‑wing parties as discriminatory, while supporters argue it protects security and women’s dignity.

Vox and PP’s £25,000 Fine Clause and Four‑Year Prison Threat

Vox MP Manuela Canadas told reporters that the veil represents a “medieval regression” and that the bill would levy fines of up to £25,000 for repeat violators, alongside prison terms of up to four years for anyone who forces a woman to wear the garments. the proposal also calls for expulsion of foreign repeat offenders, a detail highlighted in the draft legislation currently before the Balearic Parliament.

Left‑Wing Parties Label the Bill ‘Racist’ and a ‘Cultural Threat’

Deputies from PSIB, MES per Mallorca, MES per Menorca and Unidas Podemos voted against the measure, with PSIB deputy Teresa Suárez describing it as a tool to stoke fear of a “cultural threat” and to create a “common enemy.” According to the source, these parties argue the ban targets Muslim women rather than addressing genuine security concerns .

European Precedent: Over 20 Nations Have Banned Full‑Face Coverings

The Balearic proposal echoes a broader European trend; more than 20 countries , including France (2011) and Belgium (2017), have enacted full‑face veil bans upheld by the European Court of Human Rights . The source notes that Italy’s Lombardy region restricts face coverings in public buildings and hospitals, while Portugal’s parliament recently approved a similar bill backed by the hard‑right Chega party.

Security Arguments Cited by PP Deputy Cristina Gil

PP deputy Cristina Gil argued that burkas and niqabs impede facial identification,a claim she linked to public‑order concerns and the European Court of Human Rights’ support for such restrictions .. She insisted the ban does not infringe on religious freedom but merely curtails a practice that “makes women invisible .”

Who Is Still Unclear? Enforcement Details and Impact on Muslim Communities

The draft law mentions hefty fines and prison terms, yet it provides little clarity on how authorities will identify violations or differentiate between voluntary and coerced wearing. Moreover, the source indicates that full‑face veiling is already rare among Muslim women in Europe , leaving the practical impact of the ban uncertain.