Austria’s parliament has approved a new law banning girls under the age of 14 from wearing the hijab in schools. According to international media reports, the Green Party voted against the motion, calling it unconstitutional.
Under the new legislation, violations could result in fines of up to €800.
Human rights groups and experts have criticised the decision, describing it as discriminatory and warning that such measures could deepen social divisions.
The Austrian government had introduced the proposal earlier this year, claiming the ban aims to “protect young girls from oppression.”
This is not the first such restriction in the country — in 2019, Austria had already banned headscarves for girls under 10 in schools.