From the start of the 2026/27 school year, female pupils up to the age of 14 will no longer be permitted to wear an Islamic headscarf in Austrian schools. Schools are therefore required to implement the new ban – initially through discussions with the pupils concerned and their parents or guardians. However, administrative penalties are also provided for in the event of repeated breaches. The federal government regards the regulation as part of a protection and integration strategy designed to promote self-determination, equality and equal opportunities, as well as to protect girls from family or social pressure. Critics, on the other hand, see this as an infringement of religious freedom and the principle of equal treatment, and warn against the stigmatisation of Muslim girls and the further normalisation of anti-Muslim prejudice and Islamophobia. Initial individual applications to overturn the ban have been rejected by the Constitutional Court on procedural grounds; a substantive review of the law is still pending.

Can the ban strengthen girls’ autonomy, for example in relation to their classmates and parents, or does it lead to new forms of exclusion? What experiences are Muslim girls, their families and schools having with the new regulation? How can the need for protection, freedom of religion, equal treatment and children’s rights be reconciled? A high-profile panel will discuss the social, human rights and constitutional dimensions of the headscarf ban, as well as its impact on schools, participation and coexistence in a pluralistic society.

The Human Rights Talks are intended as a platform for public debate on current issues relevant to human rights. The events present high-calibre speakers to the interested public and analyse human rights challenges and socio-political trends in a nuanced manner and with expert insight, whilst at the same time doing so in an accessible way and with practical relevance. In addition to the presentations, an interactive discussion with the audience is a key component of the format.

Participation is free of charge. Due to limited seating, please register by Monday, June 22, 2026, at https://eveeno.com/175801774. Our event venue is fully accessible.