Widespread criticism of a conference on the hijab ban and calls for a full investigation
A press conference criticizing Austria’s proposed school hijab ban has triggered strong political backlash after reports revealed the participation of groups accused of antisemitism.
The event, held on February 6 and organized by the Gleichstellungsstelle (Equality Body) under the Ministry for Women’s Affairs, opposed a plan to ban headscarves for girls under 14. According to the Austrian Press Agency, one attending organization is classified as antisemitic by the Austrian Resistance Documentation Archive. Reports also mentioned the presence of activists linked to radical figures barred from entering Austria.
Integration Minister كلوديا باور said a public authority has a special duty to carefully vet partners invited to official platforms. She warned that prioritizing religion over girls’ visible and independent development sends troubling signals, and called for clarification on whether background checks had been conducted.
Jewish community leader إيلي روزن expressed concern in a formal statement, while Salzburg deputy governor مارلينه شفازك demanded a full explanation of how the joint appearance occurred and what consequences would follow. The issue has intensified political pressure on the Equality Body and the government.
The Equality Body rejected claims of cooperation with antisemitic groups, stating it had been invited by civil society organizations to highlight potential discrimination in the proposed ban. It said its official speakers were not classified as antisemitic and included ساندرا كونستاتسكي, a teacher, a lawyer, and representatives from documentation centers on Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism. The conference argued that banning headscarves for girls under 14 violates freedom of religion, self-determination, and education rights, and a protest against the proposal was held in Vienna last Friday.