The Constitutional Court of Austria has overturned the ban on headscarves for children in primary schools. According to the Court, the law is specifically aimed at the Islamic headscarf and is therefore contrary to religious freedom.
The law was enacted more than a year ago by the previous government, a coalition of the right-wing populist FPÖ and conservative ÖVP. That government then also announced that the Jewish yarmulke and the Sikh turban would not be covered by the legislation.
The Austrian cabinet last year called the law a measure against the oppression of Muslim girls, but according to the judge, a ban punishes the wrong people. There is also a risk that the ban will make it difficult for Muslim girls to access education.
Education Minister Fassman reacts disappointed to the verdict. “I regret that girls are not given the opportunity to take classes freely.” The country’s largest Muslim organization is relieved and argues that equal opportunities for girls and women cannot be achieved with a ban.
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