VIENNA, Austria — Austrian lawmakers approved a law Thursday banning headscarves in schools for girls under 14, a move rights groups and experts say is discriminatory and could deepen societal divisions.

The conservative-led government — under pressure from rising anti-migration sentiment — proposed the ban this year, arguing it is to protect girls “from oppression.”

The opposition Green Party voted against the ban, saying it is unconstitutional.

According to the text of the bill, the law will prevent girls younger than 14 from wearing headscarves that “cover the head in accordance with Islamic traditions” in all schools.

“When a girl… is told that she must hide her body… to protect herself from the gaze of men, it’s not a religious ritual, but oppression,” Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm said when presenting the bill.

The ban, which applies to “all forms” of the Islamic veil, including hijabs and burqas, would take full effect with the start of the new 2026 school year in September, Plakolm said.

From February, an initial period would be launched during which the new rules would be explained to educators, parents and children with no penalties for breaking them.

But for repeated noncompliance, parents would face fines ranging from 150 to 800........

© The Times of Israel