Archive · 9 Dec 2025
Austria Plans School Headscarf Ban
The Austrian government wants to stop girls under 14 from wearing headscarves in schools.
They say it's to protect the girls, but some people think it's unfair and makes Muslims feel unwelcome.
A similar rule was stopped by the courts before because it was seen as targeting Muslims.
The government says they've tried to make this new rule different.
Some groups, like Amnesty International, say the rule won't help girls and will make things worse for Muslims.
A far-right party wants the rule to be even stricter.
Austria's government plans to ban headscarves in schools for girls under 14.
The ban is justified as a measure to protect the freedom of girls, according to the government.
Critics, including rights groups and the Islamic Religious Community, argue the ban infringes on fundamental rights and fuels anti-Muslim sentiment.
The lower house of parliament is set to discuss the legislation this week.
The Constitutional Court previously struck down a similar ban for girls under 10, citing religious neutrality principles.
- Who
- Austrian government and its coalition partners
- What
- Planned ban on headscarves in schools for girls under 14
- When
- Legislation to be discussed this week
- Where
- Austria
- Why
- Government claims it is to protect the freedom of girls, critics say it fuels anti-Muslim sentiment
- Country
- Austria
- Affected Age Group
- Girls under 14
- Estimated Affected Children
- 12,000
- Government Coalition
- Three centrist parties
- Critics
- Rights groups, Islamic Religious Community, Amnesty International
- Far-right Party
- Freedom Party (FPO)
- Previous Court Ruling
- 2020 ban for girls under 10 struck down