Archive · 12 Dec 2025
Austria passes headscarf ban for under-14s in schools
Austria's lower house of parliament has passed a law that stops girls under 14 from wearing Muslim headscarves in schools.
The government says this law protects young girls, but many people, including rights groups and Muslim representatives, think it's unfair and hurts people's freedom.
Some people also think it makes Muslims feel unwelcome.
A similar law was stopped before because it was seen as unfair to Muslims.
The government is trying to show that this new law is different and okay, but not everyone agrees.
Austria's lower house passed a ban on Muslim headscarves for girls under 14 in schools.
The ban was supported by the ruling coalition and the far-right Freedom Party.
Critics, including Amnesty International and Muslim representatives, argue it infringes on fundamental rights and adds to a racist climate.
The Greens party opposed the ban, arguing it violates the constitution.
A similar ban was ruled unconstitutional in 2020 by Austria's Constitutional Court.
- Who
- Austria's lower house of parliament, rights groups, Amnesty International, Muslim representatives, the Greens party
- What
- Passed a ban on Muslim headscarves in schools for girls under 14
- When
- December 11, 2023
- Where
- Austria
- Why
- Proponents argue it protects girls from male gaze and sexualization; critics say it infringes on fundamental rights and adds to racist climate
- Legislation
- Ban on Muslim headscarves in schools for girls under 14
- Passed by
- Austria's lower house of parliament
- Date
- December 11, 2023
- Supporters
- Ruling coalition of three centrist parties and the far-right Freedom Party
- Opponents
- Rights groups, Amnesty International, Muslim representatives, and the Greens party
- Previous ruling
- Austria's Constitutional Court ruled a similar ban unconstitutional in 2020
- Justification
- Proponents argue it protects girls from male gaze and sexualization
- Opposition argument
- Critics say it infringes on fundamental rights and adds to racist climate
