DENMARK REJECTS DEMAND FOR PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE OVER HIJAB BAN IN SCHOOL

Wed 01 March 2023:

A far-right political party’s demand for a parliamentary discussion on enacting a headscarf ban in schools has been rejected by the Danish government, Anadolu Agency reported.

The proposed ban, according to Tuesday’s written statement from Immigration Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek, would be against Danish law and the nation’s international commitments.

“It is the legal assessment that the proposal to ban Islamic headscarves in primary schools cannot be implemented within the framework of the Constitution and Denmark’s international obligations,” he noted.

However, the immigration minister, despite rejecting the far-right’s proposal, said Denmark faces “serious challenges with negative social control and oppression of young girls in certain environments.”

He added: “Therefore, the government cannot support the proposal. But we will nevertheless continue to fight honour-related coercion and oppression and negative social control.”

Previously, in August, the Danish Commission for the Forgotten Women’s Struggle – a body established by the Danish government – called for hijab (headscarf) bans in Danish elementary schools to end “honour-related social control” of girls from minority backgrounds.

The recommendations sparked protests, with thousands taking to the streets to express their displeasure with the contentious ban recommendations. The large-scale protests had an impact, as two commission members reversed their support for a hijab ban.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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