Austria's Islamic headscarf ban in force as under-14s go back to school

Image source, Getty Images By Bethany Bell Vienna correspondent Published 58 minutes ago As the new school year begins in Austria, a law banning headscarves in schools for girls under 14 has gone into force.

The law forbids "traditional Muslim" head coverings, such as hijabs or burkas, in public and private schools across the country.

Integration Minister Claudia Bauer, from the conservative People's Party (ÖVP), says the headscarf is "a sign of oppression and a means of controlling girls from the earliest childhood".

But critics say the new law is fuelling anti-Muslim feeling in the country and could be unconstitutional.

The law was brought in by the conservative-led coalition of three centrist parties, the ÖVP, the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the liberal Neos. They say the law is a "clear commitment to gender equality" and is intended to protect the rights of young girls.