VIENNA: The lower house of parliament in Austria passed a new law banning the wearing of headscarves by girls under 14. The ban will be effective in February.
The law was passed by a very high margin on Thursday by the lawmakers. The new ban applies to headscarves worn in accordance with Islamic traditions.
Failure to comply will result in a fine of 150 to 800 euros for the parents. According to the government, the new law will stand before the courts. This is after an earlier ban on under-10s was issued in 2020.
The Constitutional Court rejected the law, claiming that it was illegal because of discrimination.
This new measure was suggested by the ruling coalition of three centrist parties. The far-right Freedom Party supported the ban but wished it were prolonged. The Greens are the only ones who voted to reject the new law.
Government Stance on the Prohibition
Minister of Integration Claudia Plakolm was one of the strong advocates of the measure. She referred to headscarves of minors as a sign of oppression. Parliament leader Yannick Shetty (Neos) alleged that the item sexualises young girls.
Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr said that girls are being pressured over their clothing. He quoted pressure from the family, as well as irrelevant young boys.
Nonetheless, there has been harsh criticism of the plan by the rights groups. According to Amnesty International, the ban will contribute to the racist atmosphere.
IGGOe, the Islamic Religious community in Austria, reported that the measure endangers social cohesion. They said it stigmatises and marginalises young children.
The government approximates the new law to have an impact on approximately 12,000 girls.
