European HCR: "the requirement to show one's face in public fell under "the respect for the minimum requirements of life in society.""

Wear a balaclava in public - nobody complains.
Wear a motorcycle face shield while riding your motorcycle down the road - nobody complains.
Wear a surgical facemask indoors and out - even one with designer colours - nobody complains.
Wear a niqab - people complain.

Maybe it's because the last case is identifiably Muslim and the rest are not?  It's almost as though it's not really about covering the face, or public safety, and instead it's about barely-disguised anti-Muslim animus.

Granted, there is some question as to whether the niqab is being worn by choice, to which I say:
1.  Some women insist that it is.  http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-survey-of-women-who-wear-the-niqab-reveals-choice-may-be-a-bit-of-a-youth-movement
2.  Even if it is not, what is the likely outcome if a niqab-wearers freedom of  movement is further restricted?