Austra has passed a law banning headscarves in schools for girls under the age of 14.
The conservative-led coalition of three centrist parties, the ÖVP, the SPÖ and the Neos, states that the law is a clear commitment to gender equality, but critics argue it risks fostering anti-Muslim sentiment and could be unconstitutional.
The new measure applies to girls in both public and private schools, directly prohibiting traditional Muslim head coverings such as hijabs or burkas.
This latest law arrives following a 2020 ruling from the Constitutional Court that struck down a similar headscarf ban for girls under 10, which had been criticized for specifically targeting Muslims.
If students violate the ban, they will undergo discussions with school authorities and their guardians. In cases of repeated violations, authorities may notify child welfare services, with potential fines up to €800 (£700) for families.
The government contends that this legislative action seeks to protect young girls from perceived oppression. Notably, Yannick Shetty, parliamentary leader of the liberal Neos party, articulated that this is not an assault on any religion, but a protective measure for freedoms of girls in Austria, affecting approximately 12,000 children.
Support for the ban also comes from the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), which claimed the ban should extend to all pupils and staff in schools, denouncing political Islam's presence in the nation.
On the contrary, critics like Sigrid Maurer from the opposition Greens have described the law as clearly unconstitutional. The Islamic Community in Austria (IGGÖ) has condemned the ban for infringing on fundamental rights and suggests it could lead to societal division, planning to challenge its constitutionality against the backdrop of the prior court ruling that deemed similar laws unacceptable.
This new law is set to take effect next September, following an awareness-raising trial period set to begin in February 2026.
