World
Austria's Islamic headscarf ban in force as under-14s go back to school
The government says the law is intended to protect the rights of young girls, but critics say it is fuelling anti-Muslim feeling.
BBC World•
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".
If there are repeated violations, child services must be notified and as a last resort, guardians could face fines of up to €800 (£685).