Hawzah News Agency- Austria has argued that the ban promotes gender equality; however, a similar restriction, targeting girls under 10, was struck down by the country's Constitutional Court in 2020 on the grounds that it specifically targeted Muslims.
"The freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs can only be subjected to limitations that are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others'', Marta Hurtado, spokesperson for the UN human rights office, told Anadolu in a statement.
"Even if restrictions are justified by a legitimate aim, the measure must be proportionate to the objective. Absolute bans have been deemed unreasonable by the Human Rights Committee'', she said.
The spokesperson also warned that arguments framing such bans as protecting girls' autonomy may themselves raise concerns about discrimination and agency.
Under the law, students who breach the ban are first required to engage in a series of meetings involving school authorities and their legal guardians. In cases of repeated non-compliance, child and youth welfare services must be informed. As a final measure, parents or guardians could face fines of up to €800 (nearly $950).
Source: Anadolu Agency
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