Banning full face veils, such as the niqab, does not violate human rights law, European judges unanimously ruled yesterday.

The European Court of Human Rights found that Belgium’s ban on clothes that partially or fully cover the face in public was legal under the European Convention on Human Rights.

It said it was “necessary in a democratic society”, tried to protect “the rights and freedoms of others” and sought to guarantee the conditions of “living together”.

Sitting in Strasbourg, the chamber of seven judges dismissed a challenge brought by two Muslim women, Samia Belcacemi, a Belgian in the Brussels suburb of Schaerbeek, and Yamina Oussar, a Moroccan from the Belgian city of Liège.

They argued the 2011 veil ban infringed their rights to respect for their private life and freedom of religion. Ms Belcacemi and Ms Oussar said they voluntarily wore the niqab – a veil covering the face except for the eyes – for religious reasons.

After the ban came into force, Ms Belcacemi continued to wear the veil but stopped because she was afraid of being heavily fined or sent to prison.