> It's probably more because in countries where people are used to having an exposed face they feel uncomfortable seeing someone fully covered at all times. En

> It's probably more because in countries where people are used to having an exposed face they feel uncomfortable seeing someone fully covered at all times. Enacting new laws and bans simply because some people "feel uncomfortable" is highly irresponsible. In my country, there are AFAIK fewer than 500 people wearing burkas or niqabs, ie. face-covering veils commonly associated with Islam. For burkas alone, the number is estimated to be fewer than 50, in the entire country. Only a subset of those would refuse to remove their veils when asked by a police officer, especially if said police officer is female and some amount of privacy could be established. Making sweeping legislation that affects the entire population, based on populist nationalist politicians drumming up xenophobia and fear of the Other, is profoundly unsound. Especially since people can (and have) already been fined for refusing to comply with orders given by the police. The end result is that those women wearing veils under pressure from their husbands, will be forced to stay at home, by threat of fines. > you can successfully fool pretty much all CV systems with a hat and glasses, and maybe add some carefully crafted patterns just to make sure. None of these are outlawed. Big sunglasses cover your eyes, full-face masks (balaclavas) are worn in winter, people cover their faces with scarves when it's windy and cold/dusty. The legislation in my country is written so any kind of face covering garment is illegal, if a police officer deems that it is being worn to conceal one's identity, and no other "allowable" circumstances exist. In effect, it gives the police free reign to enforce the law as they please, and where they please. E: I don't disagree with your explanation for why it has been done, by populist right-wing politicians. My post does read a little confrontational, that wasn't really my intention, I realize we probably generally agree on this subject.