Austria bans hijab in schools

According to an AFP report, Austria’s parliament has passed a law banning female students from wearing hijabs in schools. However, various international human rights organizations and experts have criticized the move, saying it is discriminatory and could deepen social divisions.
 

The ruling conservative government in Austria, facing increased pressure due to rising anti-immigration sentiment in the country, had proposed the ban earlier this year. The government claims the measure is intended to ‘protect girls from oppression.’ Meanwhile, the opposition Green Party voted against the ban, calling it unconstitutional.
 

Previously, in 2019, Austria had imposed a ban on hijabs in primary schools. At that time, the country’s Constitutional Court deemed the government’s action ‘unconstitutional and discriminatory’ and annulled it. However, this time, the Austrian government insists that the new hijab ban law is constitutional.
 

Under the new law, all schools in Austria will prohibit girls under 14 from wearing hijabs, described as ‘covering the head according to Islamic tradition.’ The government has said that from February next year, teachers, parents, and children will be informed about the new rules, and no fines will be imposed initially for violation.
 

However, repeated violations will result in fines for the student’s guardians ranging from 150 to 800 euros ($175–$930). The government has stated that approximately 12,000 female students across various schools in the country will have to comply with the new law. According to a 2019 Austrian study, around 3,000 girls under the age of 14 were wearing hijabs six years ago.