In Italy, the issue of religious clothing has once again become the center of heated debate. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s “Brothers of Italy” (Fratelli d’Italia, FDI) party has submitted to parliament a new bill proposing to ban the wearing of burqas, niqabs, and veils in public places. This was reported on the party’s official website.
The legislative initiative aims not only to restrict religious garments but also to place mosque funding sources under transparent state oversight. The proposal has reignited discussions about religious minority rights and national security in Italy.
What does the bill include?
FDI deputies introduced a document called “Against Discrimination” to the lower house of parliament — the Chamber of Deputies. It proposes banning the wearing of burqas, niqabs, and veils in state institutions, schools, universities, and other public spaces. At the same time, mosques will be required to comply with financial transparency rules — any donations or foreign investments must be publicly reported.
The bill also seeks to increase penalties for the crime of “forced marriage.” In such cases, where parents or relatives compel women to marry, the offense will be classified as a serious crime with harsher punishment.
Violators will be fined
According to the document, individuals who violate the ban by wearing veils or burqas in public may be fined between 300 and 3000 euros. Authorities say the measure aims to “ensure public safety and protect the freedom of Italian women.”
Earlier this year, Meloni’s coalition partner, the right-wing “Lega” party, also submitted a similar bill, though it focused only on clothing that conceals the face and covered fewer restrictions compared to the FDI proposal.
The Lega bill is currently being reviewed by a parliamentary committee. Experts predict that the two initiatives might be merged in the future. Although no debate date has been announced yet, the dominance of right-wing parties in parliament makes the bill’s approval highly likely.
What do experts say?
Politicians and legal experts have mixed opinions about the initiative. Some support it as a “measure to strengthen national security,” while others criticize it as “a restriction on the personal freedom of religious minorities.”
European human rights organizations have urged the Italian government to uphold religious freedom and human rights. However, the Meloni administration remains firm, stating that “individual freedom must not exceed the limits of security.”
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