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Date Published: 22/05/2025

Spanish region wants to ban burqas and niqabs in public

The pro-independence party maintains that it is taking this position to end gender discrimination

The Catalan pro-independence party Junts has sparked fresh controversy with a proposal to ban burqas and niqabs in all public spaces in Barcelona and across the wider Catalonia region.

Their argument is that these full-body and full-face coverings, often worn by Muslim women, promote gender discrimination and raise security concerns.

Unlike the hijab or chador, which leave the face visible, the burqa and niqab cover everything - even the hands and eyes in some cases. Junts insists this is not about religion, but about ensuring equality and safety.

They also cite “security reasons” as justification for banning the full-face coverings, arguing it’s difficult to identify individuals.

Taking things a step further, Junts also wants to ban the use of any Islamic veil by minors, not only in schools but also in “all types of extracurricular activities.” The idea, according to party sources, is to protect “girls and young women” from discrimination, allowing them to make their own choice about wearing a veil once they reach adulthood.

The proposal doesn’t stop with veils, either. The party is also targeting ‘burkinis’, full-body swimwear worn by some Muslim women at the beach or pool. Junts argues that “it is very difficult to tell who is covered due to illness, shame or custom,” and they want to require “technical” swimwear instead.

Junts is calling this stance a “free” and “political” position, one that “does not depend on any legislation or jurisprudence.” They say they are committed to being “proactive” by encouraging new laws that are “coherent,” and are inviting mayors across Catalonia to adopt restrictive ordinances regarding Islamic headscarves. They also say they are open to including the position in their 2027 municipal election platform.

According to the political party, which is no stranger to dividing opinion, this decision was not made in a vacuum. They say they have spoken with “people of the Islamic faith” and with “various organisations” before moving forward.

Junts insists this move “does not go against anyone” and that it’s about “respecting human rights, especially among minors.”

As an example, they point to Kosovo, a country with a Muslim majority, which already bans the veil in schools.

Interestingly, despite pushing for restrictions themselves, Junts has said it will vote against a motion currently in the Catalan Parliament, brought forward by the far-right Catalan Alliance, which seeks to ban all types of Islamic veils. Junts sources argue that the motion “stirs up hatred from all sides,” promotes “hatred toward Muslims” and “generates Catalanophobia.”

As one party source put it: “This is not how you build a country.”

This isn’t the first time Catalonia has grappled with this debate. Back in 2010, the city of Lleida was the first in Spain to ban the burqa and niqab in public, with several other towns following suit. But in 2011, the High Court of Justice of Catalonia struck down those bans, ruling that they violated “the exercise of religious freedom” and that local councils didn’t have the legal authority to enforce them.

The debate also spilled into schools. Around the same time, the regional government issued guidance recommending that full-face veils not be permitted in educational settings, stating they could interfere with “student learning and communication.” The hijab, however, was considered acceptable.

Image: Pexels

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