Is it permissible for a husband to force his wife to wear the niqab, disregarding the surrounding societal circumstances of persecution against women who wear the niqab?

Covering the face is obligatory, according to the preponderant opinion. If the husband commands his wife to do so, he has commanded her to do what is good, and she must obey him. If covering the face when going out causes the woman severe distress and hardship, then she must stay in her home and not go out except out of necessity. If she needs to go out, and there is a necessity, and the matter is truly as described, then there is no blame upon her for uncovering it in this specific situation, and the obligation is dropped due to incapacity. Her husband is not permitted to command her to do something that harms her, and she is not obliged to obey him in such a case.