BULGARIA’S PARLIAMENT ADOPTS AT FIRST READING A DRAFT LAW ON BURQA BAN

On 14th of June, Bulgaria’s Parliament adopted at first reading a draft law on wearing in public of clothes which cover or hide person’s face. The draft law was tabled by Krasimir Karakachanov from the Patriotic Front and a group of MPs. From a total of 116 MPs, 108 voted in favour and 8 voted against it.

The draft introduces a ban on wearing in public of clothing which fully or partially covers the face of Bulgarian citizens on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, or foreign nationals or migrants temporarily or permanently residing in the country.

The ban will not apply for the homes of the citizens or the official places for prayer of the relevant religion. The ban will not apply if the covering of the face is needed for health reasons, professional necessity, sports and cultural events.

The draft provides for a fine of 200 BGN in the first-time violation of the ban. For every next violation, the fine will be 1,500 BGN and temporary deprivation of social benefits for 3 months, if the offenders were entitled to such. The control on the compliance will be carried out by the Ministry of Interior.

The transitional and final provisions of the draft law envisage amendments to the Penal Code, which introduce imprisonment of up to 3 years and a fine of 5,000 BGN for people who persuade others to wear clothing which completely or partially covers the face. Those who persuade minors or juveniles to cover their faces will face a penalty of up to 5 years of imprisonment and a fine of 10,000 BGN.

In the motives, the MPs who tabled the proposal say that the aim is Bulgaria to join the trend for maintaining the secular foundations of the countries in the EU.