German media: Austria's parliament passes law banning Muslim headscarves for girls under 14
Austria's parliament on Thursday passed by a large majority a law banning Muslim girls under the age of 14 from wearing headscarves at school. However, a similar, more lenient bill passed six years ago was overturned by the constitutional court.
Austria's Minister for Integration and Family, Claudia Plakolm, said this was a historic measure to protect girls. She pointed out that the headscarf is not just an innocent piece of cloth, "it is a symbol of oppression." The conservative politician from the People's Party (ÖVP) emphasized that no girl in Austria should be forced to cover her body during her growth process.
According to the legal text, the ban applies to "headscarves that cover the head according to Islamic tradition" and will take effect at the beginning of the 2026/2027 school year. Schools will start educational campaigns in February next year to prepare for the new rules.
If the ban is violated, school authorities should first meet with the involved girl and her parents. If the girl continues to wear the headscarf, the parents must communicate with the school authorities. As a final measure, a fine of 150 to 800 euros can be imposed.
The Austrian Green Party does not oppose the headscarf ban in principle, but voted against it in this vote, arguing that the law does not comply with the constitution.
In 2019, the People's Party-Free Party coalition in Austria passed a headscarf ban for girls under the age of 10, but it was overturned by the constitutional court. At that time, the constitutional court considered the regulation discriminatory towards Muslim women and violating the principle of state neutrality in religion.
Source: DW
Original: toutiao.com/article/1851228297953416/
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